Lessons from Delhi DOTS

Carrying the experience at the end of the five year Delhi DOTs project revealed that although good progress has been made and the planned activities have been successfully carried out, there is a need to address the TB –HIV Co-infection.  This is because TB is the most common opportunistic infection for people that are living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and the disease most likely to advance HIV infection to full blown AIDS. Consequently, responses to the TB- HIV epidemic must focus not only on the causes of the epidemic but also the impact. There is a need to consolidate community outreach activities and strengthen the role of community volunteers.

People Living with TB-HIV have variety of needs and problems which can be categorized as medical, psychological and social. The Centres can meet some of these needs through comprehensive TB-HIV care and proper counseling provided on site.  The centres will also reduce stigma by increasing awareness in the larger community, promoting the acceptance of the TB - HIV infected amongst their families and enabling people to access prompt treatment for TB without fear of rejection. Crucially, the project will rely on the involvement of PLHAs in this process.