http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2007/pr64/en/index.html
A new World Bank research reported 22 countries with the world’s highest numbers of TB cases could earn significantly more than they spend on TB diagnosis and treatment if they signed onto a global plan to sharply reduce the number of TB-related deaths. The study says that the economic cost of TB-related deaths (including HIV co-infection) in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2006 to 2015 is US$ 519 billion when there is no effective TB treatment as prescribed by WHO's Stop TB Strategy. However, if these same countries in Sub-Saharan Africa were to offer such treatment to TB patients, in keeping with a global plan to halve the prevalence and death rates by 2015 relative to 1990 figures, countries could see their economic benefits exceed their costs by about nine times over. The Global Plan to Stop TB, devised by the Stop TB Partnership, would cost US$ 2 billion a year for TB diagnosis and treatment until 2015 in Africa, and US$ 5-6 billion worldwide. We have to spend on TB diagnosis even it does not benefit us economically, but if it can even help us economically; there are no reason to hesitate on spending money on TB diagnosis. All international health issues not only affect the one who has the disease but also affect families, communities, and countries. By solving a problem with disease that affects many people in developing countries, it is helping everyone in the communities. However, it is fact that these developing countries do not have enough funds to spend on TB diagnosis and treatment; therefore it is important many international health organizations and developed country to help these developing countries economically.
If we detect the diseases early with preventative care, we are able to take care of the people before their situations get worse. As such, less people will suffer from TB, they will be incapacitated for shorter amounts of time, and less will die. This Stop TB Strategy would be economically beneficial because if TB is detected and lives are saved, the return is high. People stay able to work, they can make money, provide for their families, and put money right back into the economy. Developing countries just need international aid to kick-start this movement; a lot of progress in TB prevention can be made.
ReplyDeleteAt first, the decision on whether or not to take part in this plan seems like a no-brainer. With economic benefits that will exceed costs nine times over, it seems like there’s no reason not to go along with it. Well, aside from the cost, of course. The question is whether or not these countries can afford to take part in this plan.
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