Vietnam’s 2019 TB prevalence survey showed that only about 57 percent of the country’s new TB cases are diagnosed and treated. In addition, approximately 63 percent of TB-affected households face catastrophic out of pocket costs, estimated at more than 20 percent of the annual household income, related to TB care. However, Vietnam’s fight against the COVID-19 epidemic has shown that the country has the tools to effectively respond to one of the world's most virulent diseases. USAID’s Erase TB project, which was officially launched last Tuesday, mobilizes local organizations to implement innovative strategies to accelerate a decline in new TB cases in Vietnam's political and economic capitals of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Thanks to the integration of public, private, and community health systems, Erase TB will enhance investigation and case finding among contacts, identify persons with TB who receive care outside of the public sector TB services and ensure they are receiving appropriate care, assist TB-affected families to overcome social and economic burdens of the disease, systematically screen urban priority groups through community health campaigns, and increase the capacity of service providers to engage in the TB response.

So What? Through the Erase TB project, USAID will catalyze innovative engagement of community and private sector stakeholders, which will contribute to ending TB in Vietnam and advancing the country’s journey to self-reliance in the health sector.