Implementing a chest X-ray artificial intelligence tool to enhance tuberculosis screening in India: Lessons learned.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) based chest X-ray (CXR) screening for tuberculosis (TB) is becoming increasingly popular. Still, deploying such AI tools can be challenging due to multiple real-life barriers like software installation, workflow integration, network connectivity constraints, limited human resources available to interpret findings, etc. To understand these challenges, PATH implemented a TB REACH active case-finding program in a resource-limited setting of Nagpur in India, where an AI software device (qXR) intended for TB screening using CXR images was used. Eight private CXR laboratories that fulfilled prerequisites for AI software installation were engaged for this program. Key lessons about operational feasibility and accessibility, along with the strategies adopted to overcome these challenges, were learned during this program. This program also helped to screen 10,481 presumptive TB individuals using informal providers based on clinical history. Among them, 2,303 individuals were flagged as presumptive for TB by a radiologist or by AI based on their CXR interpretation. Approximately 15.8% increase in overall TB yield could be attributed to the presence of AI alone because these additional cases were not deemed presumptive for TB by radiologists, but AI was able to identify them. Successful implementation of AI tools like qXR in resource-limited settings in India will require solving real-life implementation challenges for seamless deployment and workflow integration.

Screening COVID-19 by Swaasa AI platform using cough sounds: a cross-sectional study.

The Advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has led to the use of auditory data for detecting various diseases, including COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 infection has claimed more than six million lives to date and therefore, needs a robust screening technique to control the disease spread. In the present study we created and validated the Swaasa AI platform, which uses the signature cough sound and symptoms presented by patients to screen and prioritize COVID-19 patients. We collected cough data from 234 COVID-19 suspects to validate our Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture and Feedforward Artificial Neural Network (FFANN) (tabular features) based algorithm. The final output from both models was combined to predict the likelihood of having the disease. During the clinical validation phase, our model showed a 75.54% accuracy rate in detecting the likely presence of COVID-19, with 95.45% sensitivity and 73.46% specificity. We conducted pilot testing on 183 presumptive COVID subjects, of which 58 were truly COVID-19 positive, resulting in a Positive Predictive Value of 70.73%. Due to the high cost and technical expertise required for currently available rapid screening methods, there is a need for a cost-effective and remote monitoring tool that can serve as a preliminary screening method for potential COVID-19 subjects. Therefore, Swaasa would be highly beneficial in detecting the disease and could have a significant impact in reducing its spread.

Delivering hypertension care in private-sector clinics of urban slum areas of India: the Mumbai Hypertension Project.

In India, the private sector provides 70% of the total outpatient medical care. This study describes the Mumbai Hypertension Project, which aimed to deliver a standard hypertension management package in private sector clinics situated in urban slums. The project was conducted in two wards (one "lean" and one "intensive") with 82 private providers in each. All hypertensive patients received free drug vouchers, baseline serum creatinine, adherence support, self-management counseling and follow-up calls. In the intensive-ward, project supported hub agents facilitated uptake of services. A total of 13,184 hypertensive patients were registered from January 2019 to February 2020. Baseline blood pressure (BP) control rates were higher in the intensive-ward (30%) compared with the lean-ward (13%). During the 14-month project period, 6752 (51%) patients followed-up, with participants in the intensive-ward more likely to follow-up (aOR: 2.31; p < 0.001). By project end, the 3-6-month cohort control rate changed little from baseline-29% for intensive ward and 14% for lean ward. Among those who followed up, proportion with controlled BP increased 13 percentage points in the intensive ward and 16 percentage points in the lean ward; median time to BP control was 97 days in the intensive-ward and 153 days in lean-ward (p < 0.001). Despite multiple quality-improvement interventions in Mumbai private sector clinics, loss to follow-up remained high, and BP control rates only improved in patients who followed up; but did not improve overall. Only with new systems to organize and incentivize patient follow-up will the Indian private sector contribute to achieving national hypertension control goals.

STEPS - a patient centric and low-cost solution to ensure standards of TB care to patients reaching private sector in India.

BACKGROUND: More than half of the TB patients in India seek care from the private sector. Two decades of attempts by the National TB Program to improve collaboration between the public and private sectors have not worked except in a few innovative pilots. The System for TB Elimination in Private Sector (STEPS) evolved in 2019 as a solution to ensure standards of TB care to every patient reaching the private sector. We formally evaluated the STEPS to judge the success of the model in achieving its outcomes and to inform decisions about scaling up of the model to other parts of the country. METHODS: An evaluation team was constituted involving all relevant stakeholders. A logic framework for the STEPS model was developed. The evaluation focused on (i) processes - whether the activities are taking place as intended and (ii) proximal outcomes - improvements in quality of care and strengthening of TB surveillance system. We (i) visited 30 randomly selected STEPS centres for assessing infrastructure and process using a checklist, (ii) validated the patient data with management information system of National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) by telephonic interview of 57 TB patients (iii) analysed the quality of patient care indicators over 3 years from the management information system (iv) conducted in-depth interviews (IDI) with 33 beneficiaries and stakeholders to understand their satisfaction and perceived benefits of STEPS and (v) performed cost analysis for the intervention from the perspective of NTEP, private hospital and patients. RESULTS: Evaluation revealed that STEPS is an acceptable model to all stakeholders. IDIs revealed that all patients were satisfied about the services received. Data in management information system of NTEP were consistent with the hospital records and with the information provided by the patient. Quality of TB care indicators for patients diagnosed in private hospitals showed improvements over years as proportion of TB patients notified from private sector with a microbiological confirmation of diagnosis improved from 25% in 2018 to 38% in 2020 and the documented treatment success rate increased from 33% (2018 cohort) to 88% (2019 cohort). Total additional programmatic cost (deducting cost for patient entitlements) per additional patient with successful treatment outcome was estimated to be 67 USD. Total additional expense/business loss for implementing STEPS for the hospital diagnosing 100 TB patients in a year was estimated to be 573 USD while additional minimum returns for the hospital was estimated to be 1145 USD. CONCLUSION: Evaluation confirmed that STEPS is a low cost and patient-centric strategy. STEPS successfully addressed the gaps in the quality of care for patients seeking care in the private sector and ensured that services are aligned with the standards of TB care. STEPS could be scaled up to similar settings.

Engaging with the private healthcare sector for the control of tuberculosis in India: cost and cost-effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: The control of tuberculosis (TB) in India is complicated by the presence of a large, disorganised private sector where most patients first seek care. Following pilots in Mumbai and Patna (two major cities in India), an initiative known as the 'Public-Private Interface Agency' (PPIA) is now being expanded across the country. We aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of scaling up PPIA operations, in line with India's National Strategic Plan for TB control. METHODS: Focusing on Mumbai and Patna, we collected cost data from implementing organisations in both cities and combined this data with models of TB transmission dynamics. Estimating the cost per disability adjusted life years (DALY) averted between 2014 (the start of PPIA scale-up) and 2025, we assessed cost-effectiveness using two willingness-to-pay approaches: a WHO-CHOICE threshold based on per-capita economic productivity, and a more stringent threshold incorporating opportunity costs in the health system. FINDINGS: A PPIA scaled up to ultimately reach 50% of privately treated TB patients in Mumbai and Patna would cost, respectively, US$228 (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 159 to 320) per DALY averted and US$564 (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 409 to 775) per DALY averted. In Mumbai, the PPIA would be cost-effective relative to all thresholds considered. In Patna, if focusing on adherence support, rather than on improved diagnosis, the PPIA would be cost-effective relative to all thresholds considered. These differences between sites arise from variations in the burden of drug resistance: among the services of a PPIA, improved diagnosis (including rapid tests with genotypic drug sensitivity testing) has greatest value in settings such as Mumbai, with a high burden of drug-resistant TB. CONCLUSIONS: To accelerate decline in TB incidence, it is critical first to engage effectively with the private sector in India. Mechanisms such as the PPIA offer cost-effective ways of doing so, particularly when tailored to local settings.

One year of COVID-19 and its impact on private provider engagement for TB: A rapid assessment of intermediary NGOs in seven high TB burden countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted health systems and health programs across the world. For tuberculosis (TB), it is predicted to set back progress by at least twelve years. Public private mix (PPM)has made a vital contribution to reach End TB targets with a ten-fold rise in TB notifications from private providers between 2012 and 2019. This is due in large part to the efforts of intermediary agencies, which aggregate demand from private providers. The COVID-19 pandemic has put these gains at risk over the past year. In this rapid assessment, representatives of 15 intermediary agencies from seven countries that are considered the highest priority for PPM in TB care (the Big Seven) share their views on the impact of COVID-19 on their programs, the private providers operating under their PPM schemes, and their private TB clients. All intermediaries reported a drop in TB testing and notifications, and the closure of some private practices. While travel restrictions and the fear of contracting COVID-19 were the main contributing factors, there were also unanticipated expenses for private providers, which were transferred to patients via increased prices. Intermediaries also had their routine activities disrupted and had to shift tasks and budgets to meet the new needs. However, the intermediaries and their partners rapidly adapted, including an increased use of digital tools, patient-centric services, and ancillary support for private providers. Despite many setbacks, the COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of effective private sector engagement. The robust approach to fight COVID-19 has shown the possibilities for ending TB with a similar approach, augmented by the digital revolution around treatment and diagnostics and the push to decentralize health services.

Phone calls for improving blood pressure control among hypertensive patients attending private medical practitioners in India: Findings from Mumbai hypertension project.

Despite the availability of effective medication, blood pressure control rates are low, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Adherence to medication and follow-up visits are important factors in blood pressure control. This study assessed the effectiveness of reminder telephone calls on follow-up visits and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients as part of the Mumbai Hypertension Project. This project was initiated by PATH with the support from Resolve to Save Lives from January 2019 to February 2020. The study included hypertensive patients attending 164 private practices in Mumbai, India; practitioners screened all adults visiting their clinic during the project period. Among 13 184 hypertensive patients registered, the mean age was 53 years (SD = 12.38) and 52% were female. Among the 11 544 patients that provided phone numbers and gave consent for follow-up calls, 9528 responded to phone calls at least once and 5250 patients followed up at least once. Of the 5250 patients, 82% visited the clinic for follow-up visit within one month after receiving the phone call. The blood pressure control rate among those who answered phone calls and who did not answer phone calls increased from 23.6% to 48.8% (P <.001) and 21.0% to 44.3% (P <.001), respectively. The blood pressure control rate at follow-up was significantly associated with phone calls (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.34 - 1.71). The study demonstrates that telephone call intervention and follow-up visits can improve patient retention in care and, subsequently, blood pressure control among hypertensive patients attending urban private sector clinics in India.

Map, know dynamics and act; a better way to engage private health sector in TB management. A report from Mumbai, India.

BACKGROUND: India, world's leading Tuberculosis burden country envisions to End-TB by optimally engaging private-sector, in-spite of several unsuccessful attempts of optimal private sector engagement. Private Provider Interface Agency (PPIA), a new initiative for private-sector engagement, studied the private-sector networking and dynamics to understand the spread, typology of providers and facilities and their relations in TB case management, which was critical to design an intervention to engage private-sector. We report the observations of this exercise for a larger readership. METHOD: ology: It is a descriptive analysis of mapping data (quantitative) and perceived factors influencing their engagement in the PPIA network (qualitative). RESULTS: Of 7396 doctors, 2773 chemists and 747 laboratories mapped, 3776 (51%) doctors, 353 (13%) chemists and 255 (34%) laboratories were prioritized and engaged. While allopathic doctors highly varied between wards (mean ratio 48/100,000 population; range 13-131), non-allopathic doctors were more evenly distributed (mean ratio 58/100,000 population; range 36-83). The mean ratio between non-allopathic to allopathic doctors was 1.75. Return benefit, apprehension on continuity of funding and issues of working with the Government were top three concerns of private providers during engagement. Similarly, irrational business expectations, expectation of advance financing for surety and fear of getting branded as TB clinic were three top reasons for non-engagement. CONCLUSION: A systematic study of dynamics of existing networking, typology and spread of private providers and using this information in establishing an ecosystem of referral network for TB control activities is crucial in an effort towards optimal engagement of private health providers. Understanding the factors influencing the network dynamics helped PPIA in effective engagement of private health providers in the project.

What would it cost to scale-up private sector engagement efforts for tuberculosis care? Evidence from three pilot programs in India.

BACKGROUND: Private providers dominate health care in India and provide most tuberculosis (TB) care. Yet efforts to engage private providers were viewed as unsustainably expensive. Three private provider engagement pilots were implemented in Patna, Mumbai and Mehsana in 2014 based on the recommendations in the National Strategic Plan for TB Control, 2012-17. These pilots sought to improve diagnosis and treatment of TB and increase case notifications by offering free drugs and diagnostics for patients who sought care among private providers, and monetary incentives for providers in one of the pilots. As these pilots demonstrated much higher levels of effectiveness than previously documented, we sought to understand program implementation costs and predict costs for their national scale-up. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We developed a common cost structure across these three pilots comprising fixed and variable cost components. We conducted a retrospective, activity-based costing analysis using programmatic data and qualitative interviews with the respective program managers. We estimated the average recurring costs per TB case at different levels of program scale for the three pilots. We used these cost estimates to calculate the budget required for a national scale up of such pilots. The average cost per privately-notified TB case for Patna, Mumbai and Mehsana was estimated to be US$95, US$110 and US$50, respectively, in May 2016 when these pilots were estimated to cover 50%, 36% and 100% of the total private TB patients, respectively. For Patna and Mumbai pilots, the average cost per case at full scale, i.e. 100% coverage of private TB patients, was projected to be US$91 and US$101, respectively. In comparison, the national TB program's budget for 2015 averages out to $150 per notified TB case. The total annual additional budget for a national scale up of these pilots was estimated to be US$267 million. CONCLUSIONS: As India seeks to eliminate TB, extensive national engagement of private providers will be required. The cost per privately-notified TB case from these pilots is comparable to that already being spent by the public sector and to the projected cost per privately-notified TB case required to achieve national scale-up of these pilots. With additional funds expected to execute against national TB elimination commitments, the scale-up costs of these operationally viable and effective private provider engagement pilots are likely to be financially viable.

High diabetes prevalence among tuberculosis cases in Kerala, India.

BACKGROUND: While diabetes mellitus (DM) is a known risk factor for tuberculosis, the prevalence among TB patients in India is unknown. Routine screening of TB patients for DM may be an opportunity for its early diagnosis and improved management and might improve TB treatment outcomes. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of TB patients registered from June-July 2011 in the state of Kerala, India, to determine the prevalence of DM. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A state-wide representative sample of TB patients in Kerala was interviewed and screened for DM using glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c); patients self-reporting a history of DM or those with HbA1c ≥6.5% were defined as diabetic. Among 552 TB patients screened, 243(44%) had DM - 128(23%) had previously known DM and 115(21%) were newly diagnosed - with higher prevalence among males and those aged >50 years. The number needed to screen(NNS) to find one newly diagnosed case of DM was just four. Of 128 TB patients with previously known DM, 107(84%) had HbA1c ≥7% indicating poor glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Nearly half of TB patients in Kerala have DM, and approximately half of these patients were newly-diagnosed during this survey. Routine screening of TB patients for DM using HbA1c yielded a large number of DM cases and offered earlier management opportunities which may improve TB and DM outcomes. However, the most cost-effective ways of DM screening need to be established by futher operational research.