title: TB/ HIV coordination through Public Private Partnership: lessons from the field.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Co-infection with tuberculosis adversely affects the quality of life of HIV infected individuals and additionally, HIV testing among TB patients gives an opportunity for prevention and treatment of HIV infection. TB-HIV coordination activities are therefore a good public health intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was a three-year Public Private Partnership Project, implemented in four districts of Maharashtra, to improve access to public health facilities through community awareness and motivating referrals. Outreach workers were engaged to motivate patients attending Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) and Designated Microscopy Centres (DMCs) for cross referrals and adherence to services. Community leaders and private health providers were sensitized to issues around TB and HIV/AIDS.
  
  
  METHODS
  357 outreach workers referred 17,200 individuals for HIV testing and 32,549 TB suspects were referred for testing. An average of 18% TB cases (13% to 26%) and 7% (4% to 13%) HIV infected cases were identified. Involvement of PLHA and cured TB patients can better motivate symptomatics to avail of diagnostic services. Erratic funding affects smooth implementation of programmes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public Private Partnerships improve access to care. Constant dialogue between all stake holders is essential for successful implementation of such partnerships.
authors.affiliation: Maharashtra State Anti-Tuberculosis Association, Mumbai, Maharashtra. yatindholakia@gmail.com
authors.forename: Yatin N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Dholakia
mesh_terms: D060085:Coinfection; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*