Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world’s deadliest communicable diseases and also one of the world’s single biggest cause of death due to infection among adults. As per NFHS-3, TB is a leading cause of death among people who are HIV positive. However, with the available medicines and treatment process, most deaths from TB are preventable. In 2005, GOI launched the National Rural Health Mission (2005-12) to provide effective health care services to rural population throughout the country with special focus on 18 states which have weak public health indicators or weak infrastructure. Under the broad goal of prevention and control of communicable and noncommunicable diseases, the NHM (also in NRHM) provided flexible pool for control of communicable diseases, which includes Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) also. The flexible pool has facilitated the states in preparing state, district and city specific Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

Given this context, CBPS, with funding support from the National Foundation of India (NFI), conducted a study related to examining the public expenditure directed towards tuberculosis eradication as part of the NHM, using Karnataka as a case study. The overall objective of the study is to carry out an in-depth expenditure analysis of tuberculosis eradication programme (RNTCP) in Karnataka and the linkage between resource allocation and the sector priorities. Some of the major objectives of the study are to understand the pattern and flow trends for TB funding between 2007 and 2014 in Karnataka, as well as the fund flow under the TB programme at all levels. The project also looks to track distribution patterns and identify what the state has decided as its priority areas. The study utilises a mixed methodological approach, conducting desk reviews and primary/secondary data analysis as well as conducting beneficiary and expert interviews.

CBPS. (2016). Public expenditure under revised national tuberculosis eradication of tuberculosis control programme (RNTCP). Bengaluru: Centre for Budget and Policy Studies.