TB patients need support during COVID19 in Vietnam

First and foremost, we would like to thank you for your generous donations! With your support, we were able to provide treatment adherence packages to people with TB during this time of COVID-19. In the last months, the Vietnamese government has applied strict lockdown in several locations to control the spread of the novel coronavirus. People with TB and their families have faced challenges in accessing TB care services alongside unemployment, food shortages, and difficulty in obtaining consistent medication. We were aware of these obstacles, and we are here to bring necessary care rights and treatment support to their communities.

Through efforts in engaging local health authorities and post-service providers, FIT has successfully delivered TB medication to 169 patients’ homes. These patients were either affected by the COVID-19 lockdown or under self-quarantine. Together with monthly treatment monitoring calls, our team has supported District TB Units to register an official online channel for questions and answers between TB staff and patients. Many of the patients expressed their concerns, including follow-up sputum testing and required documents to visit the District TB Units during the lockdown, the availability of COVID-19 vaccines for TB patients, and the management of adverse drug reactions, and they are more than grateful to receive quick responses via this channel. Our community supporters also counseled and enrolled 239 people with TB into nutritional support packages. Due to COVID-19 related travel restriction policies, they can opt to receive either cash or bank transfer.

With your help, we plan to provide the same comprehensive care and help people with TB in Viet Nam have better lives. Please spread the word with anyone who would be interested in getting involved and making this goal a reality.

Thank you so much for being part of our efforts to eliminate TB in Viet Nam!

With much gratitude,

FIT