• LEPRA Society involved in TB Control Activities in the year 1996( KORALEP) and 2001( HYLEP) respectively in Orissa & AP.

• Currently 7 projects (3 in AP, 3 in Orissa & 1 in Bihar) are involved in this intervention.

• There are 20 microscopic centres(17 in AP,2 in Orissa and 1 in Bihar) being run by the organisation

• There are 74 Sputum Collection Centres (3 in AP and 71 in Orissa). This is an innovative approach adopted to tackle TB problem in Tribal areas.

• In the year 2006 there are 1095 no of DOT Providers working under LEPRA Projects (854 in AP and 241 in Orissa) including formation of the Health Forums in Krishna district (In partnership with TB Alert and VMM) and involvement of SHG groups.

• About 600 Private health care providers in these DMCs were sensitised and involvement in referrals of TB suspects and in provision of DOTS.

• During the year 2006, 8660 no of patients were put under DOTS

• Conversion Rate during 2006 is recorded to be 93% and 97% in AP and Orissa respectively

• Cure Rate during 2006 is recorded to be 94% and 90% in AP and Orissa respectively.

• Capacity building to PHC staff, private practitioners, DOTS providers

• Capacity building to target groups like self help groups, youth clubs, AWWs, village volunteers, tribal leaders, teachers, students, NGOs, Village tribal development members etc.

• Community awareness programs like film shows, group meetings, observation days, folk art/stage plays by local artists

• Support the DTCS in implementing tribal action plan

• Participate in monthly and quarterly review meetings with concerned staff and DTCS

• Support DTCS in implementing awareness programmes with IEC van

Process and Outcome

• As part of public private partnership, all these centres were established in collaboration with the Government.

• These centres were established in the needy uncovered areas in urban, rural & Tribal areas mostly located at the community Health centre level (Sub- Dist level) in an integrated way.

• LEPRA’s initiative was to have both VCCTC & DMC in the same premises to address TB-HIV co-infection and introduced an out-reach worker in the centres, safe injection and waste disposal practices with patient friendly services with enabling atmosphere.

• The 424 counselors placed in the VCTC / PPTCT in AP by LEPRA were provided with integrated information on TB-HIV counseling.

• These centres provided counseling, testing, sputum microscopy, medical advice, treatment with DOTS & for opportunistic infection and developed good networking linkages with the various institution, private practitioners, community based organisation and PLWHA networks for cross referrals.