2020 - 2025 | IMPLEMENTER: FHI 360 | PLANNED BUDGET: $23,983,038
Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease that can be deadly if not treated. Vietnam is the 10th highest burden tuberculosis (TB) country in the world with one of the lowest treatment coverage rates in the Asia region. Each year, it is estimated that 170,000 people are infected, but less than 60% receive treatment. The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Support to End Tuberculosis project partners with the Government of Vietnam in the ambitious effort to end tuberculosis by 2035 through robust detection, treatment, and prevention.
SCALING UP INNOVATIVE APPROACHES
With USAID’s assistance, Vietnam’s National Tuberculosis Program has deployed the highly effective Double X diagnostic strategy nationwide. Double X combines chest X-rays and GeneXpert, a rapid bacterial testing technology, to detect more TB cases—and to detect them earlier in their onset. Earlier detection both prevents further spread of the disease and can be life-saving. The project provides training, coaching, and monitoring to staff utilizing Double X to continue improving its effectiveness and reach.
EXPANDING SERVICE ACCESSIBILITY
To make TB services more accessible, the Government of Vietnam decided to expand Social Health Insurance, the country’s national health insurance plan, to include coverage for TB services. The project supports the Government of Vietnam’s National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) and the Department of Health Insurance to develop essential legal documents to guide all provinces and their TB health facilities on providing SHI-reimbursed TB care.
IMPACT
In 2020, USAID piloted the Double X strategy in seven provinces, and then supported the NTP to expand it nationwide. In July 2022, SHI began covering all TB-related health care expenses for patients.
TARGETED LOCALITIES
The project works at the national level and focuses work with health care professionals in nine provinces, including An Giang, Can Tho, Dong Thap, Hau Giang, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, Tay Ninh, and Tien Giang.
