MSH: Leveraging Technology to maximize impact of Procurement
To achieve the aim of TB elimination the Intermediate Reference Laboratories (IRLs) and Culture& Drug Susceptibility Testing (C&DST) Laboratories are an integral part of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). The uninterrupted serviceof lab ensures that TB patients complete the TB diagnostic cascade and are initiated on appropriate treatment regimen at the earliest to achieve a favourable treatment outcome.
To ensure the functioning of these criticallaboratories, The Central TB Division (CTD), MoHFW provided the maintenance of the equipment's through FIND (Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics). After the exit of FIND in 2019 as per the CTD mandate the states are required to take over the maintenance work and ensure functionality of the IRL equipment's along with BSL3 lab.
In Delhi tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic labs are crucial for over 21,000 patients treated annually across 21 chest clinics. The two Intermediate Reference Laboratories (IRLs) and one Culture & Drug Susceptibility Testing (C&DST) Laboratory are Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) and use 181 pieces of essential equipment. The state struggled forcomprehensive maintenance of the labs as it did not have the expertise or the knowledge of the vendors who could provide comprehensive service for these highly technical labs.