CATASTROPHIC COSTS OF MDR-TB FOR URBAN PEOPLE IN INDONESIA: EXPENDITURE APPROACH

Abstract

This study aims to see if MDR-TB became a catastrophic disease for people with MDR-TB in Bandung, West Java, and Surabaya, East Java. Data were collected in West Java and East Java in 2021, the two provinces with the highest number of MDR-TB cases in Indonesia. Micro-costing was used to calculate the cost of MDR-TB. We found that people with MDR-TB tend to experience economic pressure due to job loss or loss of productive time while getting MDR-TB treatment. The study finds that MDR-TB leads to severe economic hardship, with most patients stopping work, household spending declining, 93% experiencing catastrophic costs, and families coping through social assistance, borrowing, or selling assets. This study found that MDR-TB disease is a catalytic failure. A clear scheme is needed so that all MDR-TB patients can receive social assistance and reduce the catastrophic impact of MDR-TB.