Over 100 DOTS providers not paid, TB programme takes a hit

Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, February 21

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Around 100 general practitioners providing DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment-Short Course) to tuberculosis (TB) patients in the district aren’t receiving notified incentives from the Health Department for services being rendered by them.

While the private sector’s contribution is an essential element of the government’s Revised National TB Control Programme, lack of incentives to private doctors have caused many to abandon the DOTS programme in Jalandhar.

In all, Rs 500 each is payable to private doctors simply for notifying the Health Department and for course completion.

A couple of years ago, the department took the account numbers of the doctors extending DOTS treatment to TB patients. However, a number of private practitioners whom The Tribune contacted denied having received the payment from the state government. As a result, many left the programme. There are others who claim RTI queries to the department on the payment went unanswered. About three years ago, in a meeting with private practitioners providing DOTS to TB patients, the department handed Rs 1,000 for services rendered to treat TB patients.

Dr Joginder Arora, a private practitioner in the Qila Mohalla area, said, “I had been providing DOTS for many years as a service. But I left it six to seven years ago as we were not being paid. I also filed an RTI query with the department. But with no clarity and no incentives, I quit the programme. Many others quit for similar reasons.”

Dr Anil Nagrath, president, National integrated Medical Association, Jalandhar, said, “We have been providing DOTS service for years for greater common good. We haven’t received the remuneration. Nor did we ask for it. Presently, about 80 privately practicing doctors of our association provide the treatment to TB patients.”

Dr Rajiv Sharma, who holds additional charge as District TB Officer, Jalandhar, said, “The number of private practitioners keeps going up and down. Active members providing DOTS regularly are very few. As per a formally employed NGO, there are about 200 TB cases being notified from private practitioners per month. We plan to hold meetings every month. We shall be releasing the payment soon.”

State TB Officer Jastej Singh Kular said, “The payments are regularly made to private doctors across all districts and the programme is being run well. ”