Effect of Global Fund financial support for patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

SETTING: The Global Fund provides financial support for patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), patients' families and hospitals providing services for these patients in Thailand, but the impact of this support has not been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of Global Fund financial support on drug adherence, out-of-pocket (OOP) payments, sputum culture conversion and the perception of the usefulness of this support.

DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in eight provincial hospitals with and without financial support in four regions of Thailand. MDR-TB patients aged ≥15 years registered in 2015–2016 who received treatment at these hospitals for at least 6 months were included.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in drug adherence rates. The OOP payments during treatment were significantly lower in patients who received financial support (P < 0.001). Although the supported group had higher positive culture rates at the beginning of treatment, sputum converted at a faster rate than for the unsupported group (P = 0.034). More than 80% of both groups perceived financial support as being useful, leading to faster diagnosis and improving follow-up compliance.

CONCLUSION: Financial support for MDR-TB patients has a positive impact on treatment and should be continued.