Improving Access to Affordable & Quality TB Tests is IPAQT
Q. What is IPAQT?- Published on 27 Jan 16a. Health sector initiative
b. Digital initiative for mobile learning
c. Initiative for Computer Learning
d. None of the above
ANSWER: Health sector initiative
The Indian private sector offers the cheapest price for the WHO-approved Xpert MTB/RIF, a molecular test for diagnosing TB. India also has the highest number of private labs offering the test, with 113 labs offering it at a subsidised rate. While it costs only Rs. 2,000 in the 113 labs (with 5,200 collection centres) which are part of a novel initiative — Improving Access to Affordable & Quality TB Tests (IPAQT) — that was launched in India in March 2013. The initiative was set up as a partnership of laboratories – and created a win-win partnership for all stakeholders. MGIT Liquid Culture test is for TB. Liquid culture is faster, more accurate and more comprehensive than conventional solid media or sputa smear approaches. It is important not just because it can detect drug resistant TB, but also in determining which drugs can be used to treat patients. There are four tests approved by WHO: LED Microscope, Liquid Culture and two molecular tests - Gene Xpert and Line Probe Assay. Molecular-based tests provide rapid and accurate results and are preferred choice. However, molecular-based tests are expensive.
