Case detection rate targets under DOTS: the Indian experience
Gupta, D.; Chauhan, L.S.
National Medical Journal of India 19(6): 330-333
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0970-258X PMID: 17343019 Document Number: 601210
The DOTS programme in India has been recognized as the fastest growing programme in the world. It currently covers more than 1 billion people (90% of the population). In spite of this rapid expansion, the programme has consistently achieved the global target of 85% cure rates. However, improvement in case detection rates has been slow, and the global target of 70% has been achieved only in the last few quarters. Public-private partnerships were initiated at the national and local level with the non-health public sector, corporate sector and non-governmental organizations, private practitioners and medical colleges. The partnerships have significantly contributed to the case detection rates in the country, especially the medical colleges, which have contributed up to 5%-15%. Some areas achieved case detection rates well above 70%. There is a need to forge new initiatives, strengthen existing partnerships and make special efforts to access the poorer, vulnerable and hard-to-reach sections of society more effectively. This would not only increase the numbers of cases but also serve the overarching objective of equity. Disaggregated targets should be set, with much higher ones for selected areas, sectors and institutions.