Ending TB in Southeast Asia

TB0036

Bhatia V, Srivastava R, Reddy KS, et al. Ending TB in Southeast Asia: current resources are not enough. BMJ Global Health 2020;5:e002073. doi:10.1136/ bmjgh-2019-002073

  • In 2018, TB incidence declined but remained high in the WHO Southeast Asia Region (WHO SEAR).
  • WHO SEAR consists of 11 member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.
  • The region accounts for nearly half of all new TB cases and over 50% of TB deaths globally (excluding TB-HIV coinfection).
  • Thailand is the only high-burden country in the region with high domestic spending on TB.
  • Increased spending on TB is necessary to prevent it from remaining a serious threat by 2030.
  • Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia need to increase their health sector allocations due to currently low public health spending.
  • Rapid expansion of future funding requires strengthening the capacity to absorb and efficiently spend funds across the region.
  • Domestic financing will be crucial for sustainability, with taxes being an important channel for additional funding.
  • Donor funding remains key for low-income countries and is vital for global TB programs.
  • International development agencies need to collaborate with national governments to generate additional resources and provide technical support.
  • Engaging the private sector in TB programs can help raise funding and enhance response effectiveness.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility mandates in some countries should be leveraged to increase resources.
  • Results-based financing can improve spending efficiency and reduce the need for additional resources in resource-constrained settings.

  • [Yoseph Samodra]

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