Addressing Barriers to TB Sevices

Addressing Barriers to Quality TB Services

It is essential to identify, mitigate, and monitor barriers that hinder access to quality TB services. A supportive legal environment is crucial to ensuring that individuals have access to health services, are free from stigma and discrimination, and can exercise their rights to privacy, confidentiality, and the benefits of scientific progress. To overcome barriers and facilitate access to quality TB services, the following factors must be considered in shaping the legal environment:

  • Align laws with human rights principles – ensure that national laws and policies are in full alignment with human rights principles, guaranteeing that all individuals affected by TB are treated with dignity and respect.

  • Prohibit stigma and discrimination – enforce laws that prohibit stigma and discrimination against people with TB. Ensure that affected individuals have access to legal remedies when their rights are violated, and that their privacy and confidentiality are protected at all times.

  • Empower people affected by TB – facilitate the active participation of people affected by TB in all aspects of the TB response, including prioritisation, design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and governance of TB programs.

  • Establish legal rights for access to services – create an enabling legal environment that guarantees the right to access high-quality TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, and support. Services must be affordable, acceptable, and of the highest standard.

  • Ensure privacy and confidentiality – strengthen laws that protect the privacy of individuals affected by TB, ensuring confidentiality in the handling of personal health information, and providing access to information about their rights and available services.

  • Provide comprehensive psychosocial support – ensure that individuals affected by TB have access to a comprehensive range of psychosocial services, including mental health support, peer support, housing assistance, transportation and nutrition support, legal aid, and compensation for loss of income.

By integrating these factors into legal frameworks, we can break down barriers to accessing quality TB services and create a more inclusive, supportive environment for all affected by TB.