Public-Private Mix (PPM) is essential in harnessing the strength of both sectors to increase tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment coverage in the country, said health sector experts at an advocacy programme on Tuesday.
By involving the private sector healthcare providers, more people can be reached with timely and effective TB care, they added.
The event, titled 'Strengthening TB Public-Private Mix for Enhanced Policy Advocacy and Private Sector Engagement', was hosted by icddr,b in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTP) and the Stop TB Partnership at the icddr,b headquarters in the city.
The initiative aimed to enhance policy advocacy and foster private sector engagement in the country's national effort to combat TB.
PPM strategies ensure that high-quality TB services are available to everyone, regardless of where they seek care. Engaging the private sector also helps to leverage additional resources and innovations that can enhance TB control efforts.
A well-coordinated PPM approach can improve case detection rates and ensure better treatment outcomes, participants suggested in the discussion.
Executive Director of icddr,b Dr Tahmeed Ahmed said the extent of tuberculosis in Bangladesh cannot be addressed by the government alone. Private sector also needs to come forward and collaborate through public-private partnerships.
"One example is the network established by icddr,b, which includes public and private sector doctors and pharmacy owners. Through this network, patients suffering from a chronic cough are referred to the TB centres, run by icddr,b. There TB diagnosis is done rapidly using state-of-the-art GeneXpert technology," he added.
Miranda Beckman, Deputy Office Director, OPHN, USAID Bangladesh, highlighted USAID's commitment to supporting the country's TB control efforts and need for innovative approaches to engage private sector.
Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, ADG (Planning and Development) of DGHS, underscored the strategic importance of policy advocacy and integration of the private sector initiatives into the national TB programmes.
Md. Shamsul Hoque Tuku, Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament), spoke at the event as the chief guest. He said the 'Parliamentary TB Caucus' has already been formed by the parliament members.
"This parliamentary platform is committed to bringing forward the relevant issues to the government's highest level to fight TB," he added.
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