Central TB Division [CTD]

The Central TB Division (CTD) is the apex institution for managing the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) for the entire country at the central level. 

CTD works under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, and is the technical arm of the MoHFW. 

Figure: Relationship of CTD in the MoHFW

The Director General and the Additional Secretary are the overall incharge of the NTEP, supported by a Joint Secretary. The Deputy Director General-TB (DDG-TB) heads the Central TB division and leads the technical implementation of NTEP. CTD is supported by 15 different National committees for advising it on various technical fronts. E.g. the National Technical Working Group (NTWG) for Diagnosis advises on the adaptability of newer diagnostic technologies, and NTWG-treatment advises on the uptake of newer treatment regimens. Similarly, there are committees on various technical fronts including latent TB infection, co-morbidities, laboratory co-ordination, pediatric TB, gender issues, medical college involvement, operational research, private sector engagement, advocacy, communication and social mobilisation etc. 

CTD Officials and their Roles

1. The Additional Secretary, Director General (NTEP and NACO) and the Joint Secretary-TB holds financial and administrative control of the programme.
2. The Deputy Director General-TB (DDG-TB), is the head of the CTD, leading technical implementation of the National TB Elimination Programme nationwide. He/she is a dedicated program officer and provides strategic leadership, overall supervision and direction to NTEP. The DDG’s primary responsibilities are:
   • Planning and budgeting for TB control in India and ensuring uninterrupted adequate funding
   • Formulation of technical, operational, and financial policies at country level and dissemination
   • Undertaking activities for national consensus building for TB control amongst academia, non-governmental and private sectors and civil society
   • Planning and conducting need-based training at the national level for various categories of staff
   • Monitoring and evaluation of TB control activities in the country
   • Planning and co-ordination of periodic external reviews of NTEP with partner agencies
   • Monitoring the financial management by TB control and equivalent societies
   • Shouldering the major responsibility of the procurement and distribution of anti TB drugs  
3. Program officers who are of the rank of Additional DDG, assist the DDG-TB in implementing different thematic areas assigned to them. They are supported by technical consultants from the World Health Organization, and no-governmental implementation partners. 
4. the Finance Cell of CTD administers the procedures for NTEP financial management.

Resources

• Functions of the Central TB Division
• Training Modules (1-4) for Programme Managers and Medical Officers, 2020

Assessment