Publication:

Effects of COVID-19 on national tuberculosis elimination programme strategies during March to May 2020 on Tumkur district, India

Background the nation-wide lockdown due global pandemic has disrupted a vital strategic intervention resulting in overall 60% decrease in presumptive and diagnostic TB cases during the lockdown period.

Methods A discrete choice experimental (DCE) exploratory operational research conducted during March to May 2020.

Results Health care services were affected 25% reduction in the outpatient department (OPD) in comparison to the previous year the same period. A gradual reduction in negative sputum cases undergoing chest radiography from 54% to 14%. Due to restricted movement LPA tests have been reduced 25% among the diagnosed TB cases, and private referrals to cartridge based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) services were reduced to 20%.

Conclusions Health services, including national programmes to combat TB, need to be actively engaged in ensuring an effective and rapid response to COVID-19 while ensuring that TB services are maintained. While experience on COVID-19 infection in TB patients remains limited, it is anticipated that people ill with both TB and COVID-19 may have poorer treatment outcomes, especially if TB treatment is interrupted. TB patients should take precautions as advised by health authorities to be protected from COVID-19 and continue their TB treatment as prescribed.