Corporate Hospitals Unite for TB-Free Uttar Pradesh Campaign
Friday, 13 December 2024, 17:24 IST
Healthcare executives from corporate and private hospitals around Uttar Pradesh convened at Radisson Blu, Ghaziabad, as part of a campaign to speed up the fight against tuberculosis (TB). Approximately 50 prestigious corporate and private hospitals, including clinicians, participated in the event. At the event, the 'Consortium of Corporate Hospitals for a TB-Free Uttar Pradesh', a collaborative initiative to improve the state’s healthcare response to Tuberculosis, was officially launched.
In partnership with Dr. Upasana Arora, Managing Director of Yashoda Super Speciality Hospitals, Kaushambi, the Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI), a private organization of healthcare providers in India, arranged the event. An important turning point in Uttar Pradesh’s attempts to eradicate tuberculosis was reached when it also obtained technical assistance from the Union’s 'Corporate TB Pledge' campaign as part of the USAID/India-supported iDEFEAT TB project. Under the direction and assistance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Central Division (MoHFW), the program emphasizes how important public-private cooperation is to the advancement of a cohesive, private sector-led strategy to fight tuberculosis.
Hospital administrators, public health specialists, and government representatives were among the esteemed stakeholders who attended the event to discuss ways to successfully involve the private healthcare sector in supporting Uttar Pradesh’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP). India has the greatest TB burden in the world, accounting for more than 26% of newly diagnosed cases and one-third of all TB-related fatalities worldwide, according to the Global TB Report 2024. Given that over 50% of TB cases are diagnosed by private healthcare, this consortium emphasizes the contribution corporate hospitals make to the fight against tuberculosis in the country.
It also seeks to fortify private hospitals’ dedication to a state free of tuberculosis. Based on the business sector’s social duty, it promotes initiatives like STEPS (System for TB Elimination by business Sector). In order to ensure that all customers meet the STCI (Standards of TB Care in India) and that the eradication of TB remains a common objective, this approach encourages both the public and private sectors to accept joint accountability in the battle against TB.
Dr. Arora said, “Tuberculosis remains one of the most significant public health challenges in India, and private healthcare must be at the forefront of this fight. At Yashoda, we aim to foster meaningful partnerships that strengthen early diagnosis, ensure effective treatment, and raise awareness about TB. This consortium represents a unified approach to addressing TB, leveraging the strengths of corporate hospitals to close gaps in care delivery. Together, we can pave the way for a TB-free Uttar Pradesh.”
Indra Vikram Singh (IAS), District Magistrate-GZB, added, “Quality healthcare standards are vital in effectively addressing the TB burden. This consortium emphasizes collaboration and ensures that care delivery meets the highest standards of excellence.”
Dr. Girdhar J Gyani, DG-AHPI, remarked, “Early detection and treatment are key to breaking the chain of TB transmission, and private healthcare facilities play a pivotal role in achieving this. By bringing corporate hospitals into the fold, this initiative not only enhances care accessibility but also aligns with our goal of a seamless and integrated healthcare system to eliminate TB”.
Dr. Shailendra Bhatnagar; State TB officer, Uttar Pradesh, said, “The government and NABH are proud to support this initiative, which aligns with our mission to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem and make it more patient-centric and outcome-driven. The success of the TB elimination program hinges on strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. Initiatives like this consortium are pivotal in enhancing capacity, driving innovation, and creating impactful partnerships to tackle the TB burden in our state”.
The participants engaged in interactive panel discussions and Round Table Sessions for open discussions highlighting the importance of corporate hospital support for national TB elimination efforts.
In addition, Dr. Atul Mohan Kochar, CEO, NABH, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Mattu, Deputy Director General, TB Central division, and Dr. Shailendra Bhatnagar joined the consortium meeting and shared their knowledge and experience to advance this initiative.
Dr. Akhilesh Mohan CMO Ghaziabad, added, “The consortium aims to ensure the sustained engagement of the private healthcare sector in supporting the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP). Key initiatives include standardizing TB diagnosis and treatment across private healthcare settings, strengthening public health measures such as contact tracing, prevention treatment, airborne infection control, and adherence support, and advocating for policy changes. The consortium will introduce a private-sector-led framework to enhance adherence to STCI and engage in policy discussions to improve TB care standards in India”.
In partnership with Dr. Upasana Arora, Managing Director of Yashoda Super Speciality Hospitals, Kaushambi, the Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI), a private organization of healthcare providers in India, arranged the event. An important turning point in Uttar Pradesh’s attempts to eradicate tuberculosis was reached when it also obtained technical assistance from the Union’s 'Corporate TB Pledge' campaign as part of the USAID/India-supported iDEFEAT TB project. Under the direction and assistance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Central Division (MoHFW), the program emphasizes how important public-private cooperation is to the advancement of a cohesive, private sector-led strategy to fight tuberculosis.
Hospital administrators, public health specialists, and government representatives were among the esteemed stakeholders who attended the event to discuss ways to successfully involve the private healthcare sector in supporting Uttar Pradesh’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP). India has the greatest TB burden in the world, accounting for more than 26% of newly diagnosed cases and one-third of all TB-related fatalities worldwide, according to the Global TB Report 2024. Given that over 50% of TB cases are diagnosed by private healthcare, this consortium emphasizes the contribution corporate hospitals make to the fight against tuberculosis in the country.
It also seeks to fortify private hospitals’ dedication to a state free of tuberculosis. Based on the business sector’s social duty, it promotes initiatives like STEPS (System for TB Elimination by business Sector). In order to ensure that all customers meet the STCI (Standards of TB Care in India) and that the eradication of TB remains a common objective, this approach encourages both the public and private sectors to accept joint accountability in the battle against TB.
Dr. Arora said, “Tuberculosis remains one of the most significant public health challenges in India, and private healthcare must be at the forefront of this fight. At Yashoda, we aim to foster meaningful partnerships that strengthen early diagnosis, ensure effective treatment, and raise awareness about TB. This consortium represents a unified approach to addressing TB, leveraging the strengths of corporate hospitals to close gaps in care delivery. Together, we can pave the way for a TB-free Uttar Pradesh.”
Indra Vikram Singh (IAS), District Magistrate-GZB, added, “Quality healthcare standards are vital in effectively addressing the TB burden. This consortium emphasizes collaboration and ensures that care delivery meets the highest standards of excellence.”
Dr. Girdhar J Gyani, DG-AHPI, remarked, “Early detection and treatment are key to breaking the chain of TB transmission, and private healthcare facilities play a pivotal role in achieving this. By bringing corporate hospitals into the fold, this initiative not only enhances care accessibility but also aligns with our goal of a seamless and integrated healthcare system to eliminate TB”.
Dr. Shailendra Bhatnagar; State TB officer, Uttar Pradesh, said, “The government and NABH are proud to support this initiative, which aligns with our mission to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem and make it more patient-centric and outcome-driven. The success of the TB elimination program hinges on strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. Initiatives like this consortium are pivotal in enhancing capacity, driving innovation, and creating impactful partnerships to tackle the TB burden in our state”.
The participants engaged in interactive panel discussions and Round Table Sessions for open discussions highlighting the importance of corporate hospital support for national TB elimination efforts.
In addition, Dr. Atul Mohan Kochar, CEO, NABH, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Mattu, Deputy Director General, TB Central division, and Dr. Shailendra Bhatnagar joined the consortium meeting and shared their knowledge and experience to advance this initiative.
Dr. Akhilesh Mohan CMO Ghaziabad, added, “The consortium aims to ensure the sustained engagement of the private healthcare sector in supporting the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP). Key initiatives include standardizing TB diagnosis and treatment across private healthcare settings, strengthening public health measures such as contact tracing, prevention treatment, airborne infection control, and adherence support, and advocating for policy changes. The consortium will introduce a private-sector-led framework to enhance adherence to STCI and engage in policy discussions to improve TB care standards in India”.
