DR-TB Service Referral Linkages Scenario 5: DR-TB Patient Referred for Treatment from the Private Sector with Treatment Initiated in the Private Sector ​​

In a situation where Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) patients may have consumed anti-TB drugs for some duration from the private sector, such prior anti-TB treatment is not likely to be uniformly reliable as far as the quality or quantity and duration of drugs consumed is concerned. 

Given that uncertainty, the basic principle is that the duration of the DR-TB regimen under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) need not be reduced. 

There may be exceptional circumstances that the Drug-resistant Tuberculosis Centres (DR-TBCs) may consider reducing the duration of treatment, where prior treatment is very well-documented, adequate and effective. 

The DR-TBC committee can adjust the duration after a detailed patient review, approval and documentation of decisions taken. 

If such a referral from the private sector has taken place without notification on Nikshay, the patient needs to be freshly notified after due confirmation of diagnostic results.

Resources

• Guidelines for Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant TB in India, 2021.

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