India, Oct. 4 -- A state government initiative to provide free treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients through private hospitals has received a poor response across Maharashtra, officials have confirmed.

Launched five months ago under the Global Fund-supported Project SSHAKTI, the programme aims to integrate private healthcare facilities into the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). NGO Doctors for You (DFY) is implementing the model under HLFPPT to set up DR-TB centres within private hospitals.

Despite the need, many TB patients prefer private care due to social stigma-adoption has been slow. In Pune, which has one central "hub" hospital and 45 linked "spokes," only six patients have benefited since May.

The mo...