In a landmark effort to intensify the battle against tuberculosis (TB), healthcare executives from corporate and private hospitals throughout Uttar Pradesh gathered in Ghaziabad. Approximately 50 prominent corporate and private hospitals, including various clinicians, participated in the event. This meeting heralded the inauguration of the “Consortium of Corporate Hospitals for a TB-Free Uttar Pradesh,” an initiative designed to bolster the state’s TB healthcare strategies.
The event was orchestrated by the Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI), the preeminent representative body for private healthcare in India, in partnership with Dr. Upasana Arora, the managing director of Yashoda Super Speciality Hospitals, Kaushambi. Additional technical backing came from the ‘Corporate TB Pledge’ initiative by The Union, a component of the USAID/India-supported iDEFEAT TB project, marking a pivotal step in Uttar Pradesh’s tuberculosis elimination journey.
Coordinated under the stewardship of the Central Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the initiative underscores the vital role of public-private cooperation in advancing a cohesive, private sector-driven strategy to tackle TB.
The meeting convened esteemed participants, such as hospital leaders, public health specialists, and government officials, to deliberate on methods to engage the private healthcare sector effectively, in alignment with the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) in Uttar Pradesh.
According to the Global TB Report 2024, India shoulders the world’s most significant TB burden, accounting for over 26% of newly diagnosed cases and a third of global TB fatalities. With private entities diagnosing more than half of all TB cases, this consortium underscores corporate hospitals’ essential contribution to supporting nationwide efforts against tuberculosis.
Further, the alliance aims to reinforce private hospitals’ commitment to the objective of a TB-free state. It promotes implementing models like STEPS (System for TB Elimination by the Private Sector) founded on the private sector’s social responsibilities, fostering joint accountability between private and public sectors in combating TB, ensuring adherence to STCI (Standards of TB Care in India) for all patients, and maintaining TB elimination as a shared objective.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Dr. Upasna Arora, MD, Yashoda Super Speciality Hospitals, Kaushambi, emphasized, “Tuberculosis remains a critical public health concern in India, demanding the proactive role of private healthcare in this endeavor. Yashoda aims to forge meaningful partnerships that promote early diagnosis, effective treatment, and heightened TB awareness. This consortium epitomizes a united approach leveraging corporate hospitals’ potential to bridge care delivery gaps, bringing us closer to a TB-free Uttar Pradesh.”
Indra Vikram Singh (IAS), District Magistrate-GZB, remarked, “High-quality healthcare standards are crucial in effectively mitigating the TB burden. This consortium signifies collaboration, ensuring the highest care delivery standards.”
Dr. Shailendra Bhatnagar, State TB Officer, Uttar Pradesh, commented, “The government and NABH are pleased to support this initiative, aligning with our mission to fortify the healthcare framework and enhance patient-centric and outcome-oriented systems. The success of the TB elimination programme relies heavily on robust public-private collaboration. Initiatives such as this consortium are key in building capacity, fostering innovation, and forming impactful partnerships to confront Uttar Pradesh’s TB challenges.”
Dr. Girdhar J Gyani, DG-AHPI, affirmed, “Early TB detection and treatment are critical in disrupting the transmission cycle, and private healthcare facilities are pivotal in this mission. By incorporating corporate hospitals, this initiative expands care access and moves us towards a unified healthcare system aimed at TB eradication.”
Attendees partook in interactive panel discussions and Round Table Sessions, underlining the significance of corporate hospital involvement in the national TB elimination initiative.
In addition, Dr. Atul Mohan Kochar, CEO of NABH, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Mattu, Deputy Director General of TB Central Division, and Dr. Shailendra Bhatnagar were present at the consortium meeting, offering their insights to propel this initiative forward.
Dr. Akhilesh Mohan, CMO Ghaziabad, stated, “The consortium is poised to secure enduring private healthcare sector engagement in supporting the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). Essential initiatives encompass standardizing TB diagnosis and treatment across private settings, bolstering public health measures like contact tracing, preventive treatments, airborne infection control, and adherence support, alongside advocating for policy reforms. The consortium will implement a private-sector-led framework to enhance adherence to STCI and engage in policy dialogues to elevate TB care standards in India.”
These efforts marked the culmination of the event on an optimistic note, aiming to establish a coordinated and impactful response to TB in Uttar Pradesh, involving both sectors in a comprehensive, strategic manner.