Public-private mix TB activities in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, North India: delivering dots via collaboration with private providers and non-governmental organizations.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the contribution of public-private collaboration between the Indian tuberculosis (TB) programme and the private health sector (including non-governmental organizations and private providers) to TB case-detection and treatment outcomes in Meerut district, India.

METHODOLOGY: District TB registers from January 2001-June 2003 were reviewed.

RESULTS: The 2002 new AFB-positive case-notification rate (103/100,000 population) in Meerut exceeded national targets. Of the 7,062 new AFB-positive patients registered, 2,084 (29%) were detected at private sector microscopy and DOTS treatment centres; treatment outcomes met programme targets.

CONCLUSION: Public-private collaborations can be successfully implemented at the district level in India, and have the potential for substantial contributions to TB control efforts in India.