Estimated costs for patients with tuberculosis in LMICs (Portnoy et al., 2023)
Check out the latest study by Portnoy et al. (2023) on the economic costs of tuberculosis treatment in low- and middle-income countries. The study delves into the often-overlooked financial burdens faced by patients, even in the presence of ostensibly free treatment. By synthesizing data from 22 national surveys conducted between 2015 and 2022, the authors estimated per-patient costs across various categories—direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect. Notably, the findings revealed that mean direct medical costs stood at US$211, while direct non-medical and indirect costs were estimated at $512 and $530 per episode of tuberculosis, respectively. The publication underscores the urgency of addressing these economic challenges to enhance accessibility to tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment, aligning with the objectives outlined in the WHO’s End TB Strategy.Â
Read more about this exciting work here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(23)00369-8/fulltext