Year: 2026 | Month: August | Volume: 13 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 409-416
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260839
Tuberculosis and Financial Hardship in India: Understanding the Economic Burden on Patients and Households
Aayushi Jaiswal
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D), Master of Public Health (MPH) Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Corresponding Author: Aayushi Jaiswal
ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important public health and socioeconomic challenge in India. Poverty and TB have a bidirectional relationship, with socioeconomic disadvantage increasing vulnerability to TB while TB can further worsen household finances. This narrative review explored the financial burden of TB and its economic consequences for patients and households, focusing on direct and indirect costs, catastrophic expenditure, income loss and socioeconomic inequalities. Original research studies and systematic reviews from India and other countries were considered. The review indicates that socioeconomic disadvantage, undernutrition, poor housing and limited access to health care can increase vulnerability to TB and contribute to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Despite free TB services under the National TB Elimination Programme, patients and households continue to experience transportation and food costs, loss of wages, reduced productivity, borrowing and asset depletion. The financial burden is particularly high among poorer households and patients with drug-resistant, extrapulmonary or severe TB. Nikshay Poshan Yojana provides important nutritional support, although gaps in coverage, timeliness and adequacy remain. Strengthening financial protection, livelihood support and timely care is essential to reduce the economic impact of TB and support equitable TB elimination in India.
Keywords: Tuberculosis; Financial burden; Socioeconomic inequalities; Catastrophic expenditure; Out-of-pocket expenditure; Poverty; Social protection
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