Patient interaction with TB Care Ecosystem

Health Volunteers/ Treatment Supporters are often the regular point of contact for a TB patient in the community. They support the TB patient during the entire episode of TB and ensure complete diagnosis and treatment. The next points of contact are with the MPHWs who periodically visit the patients to ensure specific delivery of services.  

The Peripheral HeaIth Institution (PHI) is the nearest accessible health facility where the patient can access   a physician/ doctor for diagnosis and treatment services. These are often in the form of a Primary Health Centre, but can also be higher level institutions such as medical colleges and private health facilities that are most accessible to/ preferred by the patient. The PHI may also host a drug store/ pharmacy from where the patient's medicines would be dispensed.

Other health facilities with diagnostic services such as DMCs, NAAT Sites and C&DST Labs may be accessed by the patient or by their biological specimen being collected and transported to the corresponding laboratory. Other higher order health institutions such as DRTB Centres may also be accessed by the patient on referral. 

The District TB Centre, TB Unit and its staff provide programmatic support and supervision indirectly through the PHI. At times the National Call Centre may contact the patient for providing specific information, or for collecting feedback on quality of service delivery.

Figure: Stakeholders interacting with HVs

Resources:

• Technical and Operational Guidelines for TB Control in India 2016

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