A model of costs of RTI case management services in Uttar Pradesh.

This paper develops a model of standardized reproductive tract infection (RTI) management in the public sector using guidelines prepared by the National AIDS Control Organization. It also discusses the costs of upscaling the service to similar sites in Sitapur and Agra districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. The model shown in the paper conceives providing RTI case management services at the block Primary Health Centers (PHC) and Community Health Centers (CHC) levels. It estimates the cost of providing RTI case management at PHC and at CHC and by extension to the district. Furthermore, the model presents differing options according to the level of health system services that are available. The paper concludes that the costs of RTI case management varies widely by the levels of utilization, the levels of infection and the capability of health centers to provide the services. The model of RTI case management indicates that laboratory testing and treatment costs are higher than expected. The estimated cost for RTI management is beyond the existing budgets, and policymakers and program managers need to examine both the initial and continuing costs of the RTI case management in the context of the entire Reproductive and Child Health package.