Guest guest Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Dear FORUM, The abstract of a recently published review of research studies on private sector involvement in TB and HIV/AIDS care is presented below. The two chronic infectious diseases, separately and in synergy, contribute in large degree to prevalent adult morbidity and mortality in India. In order to manage the growing burden of ill health it has become increasingly necessary to enlist the services and support of the private medical sector. The paper draws on experiences of involving private practitioners in TB care, outlines strengths and weaknesses of private care provision for HIV/AIDS, and discusses opportunities for the public and private sectors to work together to provide better care for TB and HIV/AIDS. _____________________ Public-private partnerships for equity of access to care for tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS: lessons from Pune, India Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Volume 100, Issue 4, April 2006, Pages 312-320 Authors: Kabir Sheikh, Porter, Karina Kielmann and Sheela Rangan Summary: The private medical sector is an important and rapidly growing source of health care in India. Private medical providers (PMP) are a diverse group, known to be poorly regulated by government policies and variable in the quality of services provided. Studies of their practices have documented inappropriate prescribing as well as violation of ethical guidelines on patient care. However, despite the critique that inequitable services characterise the private medical sector, PMPs remain important and preferred providers of primary care. This paper argues that their greater involvement in the public health framework is imperative to addressing the goal of health equity. Through a review of two research studies conducted in Pune, India, to examine the role of PMPs in tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS care, the themes of equity and access arising in private sector delivery of care for TB and HIV/AIDS are explored and the future policy directions for involving PMPs in public health programmes are highlighted. The paper concludes that public-private partnerships can enhance continuity of care for patients with TB and HIV/AIDS and argues that interventions to involve PMPs must be supported by appropriate research, along with political commitment and leadership from both public and private sectors. PDF copies of the article are available from the corresponding author: kabirsheikh@... --------- Kabir Sheikh, MBBS (MAMC), MSc Public Health (LSHTM) PhD Candidate, Health Policy Unit and DfID Tuberculosis Knowledge Programme, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Consultant, Resource Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS, New Delhi 121 Sundar Nagar New Delhi 110003 Tel: (+91) 11 41507185 Mobile: (+91) 9810953885 e-MAIL: kabirsheikh@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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