RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Ending TB in Southeast Asia: current resources are not enough
JF BMJ Global Health
JO BMJ Global Health
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e002073
DO 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002073
VO 5
IS 3
A1 Vineet Bhatia
A1 Rahul Srivastava
A1 K Srikanth Reddy
A1 Mukta Sharma
A1 Partha Pratim Mandal
A1 Natasha Chhabra
A1 Shubhi Jhalani
A1 Sandip Mandal
A1 Nimalan Arinaminpathy
A1 Tjandra Yoga Aditama
A1 Swarup Sarkar
YR 2020
UL http://gh.bmj.com/content/5/3/e002073.abstract
AB The Southeast Asia Region continues to battle tuberculosis (TB) as one of its most severe health and development challenges. Unless there is a substantial increase in investments for TB prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment, there will be catastrophic effects for the region. The uncontrolled TB burden impacts socioeconomic development and increase of drug resistance in the region. Based on epidemiological inputs from a mathematical model, a costing analysis estimates that the desired targets of ending TB are achievable with additional interventions, and critical thresholds require an increase in spending by almost double the current levels. The data source for financial allocation to TB programmes is the report submitted by countries to WHO, while projections are based on modelling. The model accounts for funding needs for all strategies based on published data and accounts for programme and patient costs. This paper delineates the resource needs, availability and gaps of ending TB in the region. It is estimated that close to US$2 billion per year are needed in the region for TB-related activities for a meaningful bending of the incidence curve towards ending TB.