A recent paper by COMDIS-HSD researchers outlines how patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) face extreme social, financial and employment hardship, with most patients having to move house, leave their job, and face stigmatisation.
The paper concludes that given the vulnerability of MDR-TB patients, counselling combined with financial support could go a long way to reducing their vulnerability, as well as increase cure rates. The paper recommends that National TB Programmes incorporate financial support and counselling into MDR-TB care; the costs are low and the benefits are high.