TB survivors' group questions Centre about implementation of

A group of tuberculosis (TB) survivors has written to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, inquiring about a scheme proposed by the Centre to provide direct economic benefits to TB patients undergoing treatment.
The scheme has been proposed in the latest National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis (2017-2022).
Considering that the disease affects a large number of India's poor due to social, economic and environmental factors, the Survivors Against TB (SATB) has urged the government to extend the benefits under the scheme to all the TB patients, irrespective of whether they seek care from the public or private sector.
"This scheme is a step in the right direction. Global evidence has shown that poverty and TB are inter-connected. The poor people frequently come across economic barriers when it comes to healthcare," Deepti Chavan, a multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB survivor and a member of the SATB, said.

The SATB has sought to know when will the scheme be launched and the first set of payments reach the beneficiaries. It has also requested the government to share a clear implementation plan for the scheme.
The group has suggested key parameters for effective monitoring and evaluation of the scheme, including ease of access, utility of the benefit amount etc.

"We welcome this patient-centric and compassionate policy. However, its impact must be assessed from the perspective of the recipients, that is the patients," Saurabh Rane, an SATB member and an MDR TB survivor, said.
TB costs India close to USD 24 billion each year. As per the WHO (World Health Organisation) TB Report, the disease kills one Indian every minute.

The scheme, if implemented effectively, can bring about a drastic change in how India addresses and manages the TB related economic impact and poverty.
"For the first time in decades, we have the opportunity to ensure that TB-affected families do not become poorer due to a loss of livelihood or the treatment expenses. We hope the government will address our queries," Chapal Mehra, convenor of the SATB, said.