The Axshya Kiosks: An innovative model for increasing access to TB information and service, an experience from India

7^th ASIA PACIFIC STD AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES CONGRESS

OCTOBER 23-25, 2017 OSAKA, JAPAN

Sajna Sarasita Nayak, Jaya Prasad Tripathy, Subrat Mohanty, Gayadhar Mallick and Pooja Agarwal

International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, India

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J AIDS Clin Res

Abstract :

There are issues related to having right information about disease, diagnostic procedures and treatment adherence, accessibility to services by the affected community (daily wage earners, school children, industrial workers, PLHIVs) and TB patients. Most important need is to align the time, place and observation to the patients' convenience. Under the program TB patients are expected to take treatment under the observation of a DOT provider (community volunteer/health facility). This process may not be convenient to the patient particularly for the patients who reside in urban slums. There is a need to align the time, place and observation to patient convenience and making the process more respectful and flexible. Axshya Kiosks are set up in public health facilities such as chest or district hospitals, medical colleges and community settings and in and around densely populated urban zones and industrial areas where TB rates are higher. They offer services for extended hours from 6 AM to 9 PM, during which time trained community volunteers administer TB treatment, collect sputum samples and provide drop in consultations for patients and their families seeking information and counseling services. The Union�s Project Axshya has established 97 tuberculosis (TB) treatment and information kiosks in 40 cities in India to provide better and more patient-center care. The kiosks address the common challenges faced by the community, including the limited opening hours of healthcare centers, difficulty in accessing care and a lack in personalized service. Patient-friendly diagnosis, treatment adherence, treatment completion and success rate and decrease in default and failure rate for TB services through AKs. AKs may complement DOTS in the long run to end TB. This model can be replicated by other countries as well.