Activists call on Indian government to revitalize the TB preventive treatment program

On 18 February 2021, Indian activists sent an open letter to the senior representatives of the Indian authorities requesting that the government revitalize the TB preventive treatment (TPT) program and introduce newer short-course TPT regimens for people living with HIV.

In the letter, the signatories raised five concrete asks to the national TB and HIV programs:

1. programmatic review of the current TPT program in India;
2. revision of the national TPT guidelines to reflect the latest international standards on TPT endorsed by the World Health Organization;
3. urgent inclusion of a comprehensive treatment literacy program on TPT;
4. introduction of a robust forecasting mechanism to prevent shortages and stock-outs of TPT commodities;
5. development of plans to introduce newer short-course TPT regimens such as 3HP, 1HP and 3HR.

“We remain confident that India can reach its national UN HLM [High-Level Meeting] TPT target if the HIV and TB programs work collaboratively with communities to revitalize the TPT program.”

To read the full letter, click here.