National tuberculosis patients cost survey: research findings lead to change in policy and practice, Vietnam
The first national TB patients cost survey has shown that a high proportion of TB patients incurred costs that were classed as ‘catastrophic’
Abstract
In 2016, the Vietnam National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) conducted the first national TB patients cost survey to identify the main cost drivers to help guide cost mitigation policies and reduce financial barriers to the treatment of TB patients. The survey findings were widely disseminated and the NTP defined a roadmap. The major components of the roadmap included:
- advocating for patients to be covered by social health insurance;
- creating a charity fund for TB patients;
- strengthening the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
- advocating for donor support.
The first national TB patients cost survey has shown that a high proportion of TB patients incurred costs that were classed as ‘catastrophic’. The survey findings led to policy changes and new practices in Vietnam.
This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)
Citation
Hoa NB, Nhung N V. National tuberculosis patients cost survey: research findings lead to change in policy and practice, Viet Nam. Public Health Action. 2019;9(2):50–2.