Tuberculosis health services during advent of COVID-19 pandemic in Sonipat district of Haryana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20233111Keywords:
Public sector, Health providers, North-India, TuberculosisAbstract
Background: India put efforts to achieve TB free status by 2025 but, advent of COVID-19 Pandemic compelled to repurposing of health facilities and services to manage the situation, which greatly affected the TB management in the country. This study was aimed to find out the situations faced by Health care providers in diagnosis and initiation/continuation of ATT under NTEP during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Sonepat District of Haryana State among Medical officers posted in Health Centres and Lab Technicians posted in Designated Microscopy Centres, responsible for managing Tuberculosis during second and third quarters of 2020. Data were collected using separate, pretested semi-structured schedules and results were compiled and described in percentages and proportions.
Results: Almost half (54%) of the LTs were posted at DMCs daily. Only three of the facilities had CB-NAAT facilities, of which two (66.66%) were partially diverted for COVID-19 testing.
Majority (68.2%) of the MOs reported regular OPD facilities at their facilities during lockdown, with regular TB diagnostic lab facilities (68.2%). More than 81% of the MOs reported non-availability of In-Patient (IP) facilities during lockdown, and diversion of staff for COVID-19 was observed as the major reason (66.7%) for facility non-availability.
Conclusions: The pandemic affected the provision of TB services in the region. Preparedness, timely interventions on regular feedbacks can mitigate such difficulties in future.
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