TB infected incur huge costs, despite free diagnosis, treatment under national program: Study

NEW DELHI: Despite free tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment under India’s National TB Elimination Program, nearly half the infected people incur “catastrophic” costs due to a loss in wages and hospitalisation, a study has found.

Published in the journal Global Health Research and Policy, the research estimated that typically, tuberculosis treatment and care costs a total of USD 386 for an individual.

The National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) is aimed at achieving a TB-free India by 2025, while the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ‘End TB Strategy’ targets 2035 to end the global epidemic.

Source: PTI News

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