TB treatment is free in Nepal, but 51 percent of affected families face crippling costs: Report
Summary
A new study shows that 51 percent of TB-affected households in Nepal face catastrophic costs despite free medicines and diagnosis. The report says transportation, food, accommodation and lost income are pushing many families below the poverty line.
Key Points
- A national survey found that 51 percent of households with a TB patient in Nepal face catastrophic costs despite free treatment services.
- Direct non-medical expenses and lost income are the main drivers of the financial burden on TB-affected families.
- The report says TB-related costs pushed 13 percent of households below the poverty line, rising to 31 percent among drug-resistant TB households.
- Nepal still diagnosed and treated only 38,606 of an estimated 67,000 TB cases in 2024, leaving many cases undetected.
