Virtual Technology: Strengthening TB Care – The Difficult-To-Treat TB Clinic (DT3C) Initiative

In response to the growing complexities of Drug-Sensitive and Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DS/DR-TB) and Extra-Pulmonary TB (EPTB), the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD), in collaboration with the Central TB Division (CTD) and National Task Force (NTF), launched the Difficult-To-Treat TB Clinic (DT3C) through the ECHO platform.

This pioneering initiative aims to enhance the clinical expertise of physicians navigating the intricate challenges of TB treatment. Through peer-to-peer learning, expert-led didactic sessions, and in-depth case discussions, healthcare professionals gain valuable insights into managing complex TB cases. These sessions also serve as a platform to highlight grassroots-level challenges in the presence of national experts and program managers, fostering real-time problem-solving and knowledge exchange.

Till date, more than 90 difficult cases have been discussed. This model is successfully being replicated by the CTD in all the states of India.

Nurses’ Efforts to Eliminate TB in India (e-NEETI)

Alongside the Difficult-To-Treat TB Clinic (DT3C), the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD) launched the Nurses’ Efforts to Eliminate TB in India (e-NEETI) program in August 2023 to strengthen the role of nurses in TB care and management.

Designed specifically for nurses working in TB hospitals across India, the ECHO-supported e-NEETI clinic focuses on newer diagnostic approaches, treatment protocols, and psychosocial support strategies for TB patients and their families. Twelve such sessions have been conducted by NITRD.

Paediatric TB ECHO Clinic

Recognizing the need for specialized TB care for children, NITRD, in collaboration with the Regional Pediatric Centre of Excellence (RPCoE) for Tuberculosis, launched the Paediatric TB ECHO Clinic in May 2024. This initiative focuses on disseminating paediatric TB guidelines and enhancing the capacity of healthcare providers in effectively managing the condition at the peripheral level.

The program brings together a diverse group of healthcare professionals, including paediatricians, District TB Officers, medical officers of TB Units, chest physicians, and faculty from AIIMS and both private and government medical colleges. By fostering a decentralized approach, the clinic ensures widespread dissemination of clinical expertise on paediatric TB.

The Paediatric TB ECHO Clinic was launched in May 2024. In the year 2024, eight sessions have been conducted, connecting over 2,000 participants across India, strengthening the collective effort to improve TB outcomes in children.

Virtual Training

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