Bridging the Gap: The Role of International Aid Agencies in Shaping Tuberculosis Control Policy in India

Abstract

Background: Still a serious worldwide health issue, tuberculosis (TB) especially in India with the greatest TB load poses challenges. Aiming to improve TB control efforts in India, the "Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP)" marked a major policy change when adopted in 1997.
Objectives: The objectives of this study are to analyse the dissemination and implementation of WHO’s DOTS strategy from an international to a national level, evaluate the integration of local expertise and community responses into the RNTCP, and identify the implications of these processes for TB control policies in India.
Methods: Emphasising works released between 1995 and 2023, a comprehensive review across many databases—including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science—was done. This overview consisted on studies on the operating of national and international aid agencies in the DOTS application in India.
Findings: Results reveal that DOTS was efficiently changed to meet the Indian setting with significant help from bilateral/multilateral aid agencies, therefore enabling political commitment and financial resources mobilising. Still, program execution clearly suffered and private hospital opposition was obvious. Different points of view from the community and the patient underscored the benefits and drawbacks of the program, therefore influencing ongoing policy changes.
Conclusion: The study largely highlights the significance of tailored treatments and community involvement for the effectiveness of projects aimed to lower the TB prevalence. It suggests that future plans should make advantage of technological improvements to increase program reach and treatment adherence and adopt more flexible, patient-centered strategies.