Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the top causes of death among infectious diseases worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2023, there were 10.8 million new cases and 1.25 million deaths attributed to TB globally.

Vietnam ranks 12th among the 30 countries with the highest TB burden. People living with TB, especially vulnerable groups, face not only medical challenges but also multidimensional difficulties that hinder their ability to access healthcare and adhere to treatment.

To meet the goal of ending TB in Vietnam by 2035, several gaps must still be addressed. Community engagement will be a critical factor in achieving this goal.

The Community System to End TB (CSET), an initiative of SCDI, was established in 2021 with a mission to help TB-affected communities access quality healthcare services, contributing to the effort to eliminate TB in Vietnam. With nearly 500 active members across provinces from North to South Vietnam, CSET comprises experienced individuals trained to provide comprehensive support, ranging from medical to psychological care, while connecting patients to the best available healthcare resources.

Since its inception, CSET has launched various initiatives to bridge gaps in TB prevention, particularly by improving access to screening and treatment for vulnerable groups. These include people living with HIV, substance users, the elderly living alone, the impoverished, and the homeless—groups that face significant barriers to prevention and treatment services.

In collaboration with healthcare agencies and related organizations, CSET focuses on making TB screening and treatment more accessible to high-risk populations in local communities.

Between 2021 and 2024, CSET’s activities across 10 provinces and cities—including Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Hai Duong, Nghe An, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Binh Phuoc, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau—have delivered impressive results:

• Supported 123,194 high-risk individuals with TB screening.
• Facilitated Mantoux screening for 15,742 people in close contact with TB patients.
• Identified and assisted 1,299 individuals with TB in receiving treatment.
• Detected and supported treatment for 2,691 cases of latent TB infections.

In Hai Phong, notably, CSET has played a pivotal role in enabling the community of people who inject drugs to access TB screening services.

Photo: CSET member visiting TB patient undergoing treatment 

A strong point of CSET’s work is its comprehensive treatment support model, which has been piloted in Nghe An, Gia Lai, Dak Lak provinces, and Ho Chi Minh City. This model includes monitoring treatment adherence, assisting patients with follow-up appointments, providing education on treatment and prevention for both patients and their families, and offering financial aid such as health insurance and nutritional support through partnerships with organizations and benefactors. CSET also plays an essential role in communicating patient challenges to local healthcare authorities, helping improve healthcare service quality.

In 2024 alone, this comprehensive treatment model received widespread acclaim from local health partners. Achievements include providing 872 instances of in-depth treatment support to 312 disadvantaged patients and delivering social support—such as purchasing health insurance cards and nutritional aid—to 100 patients.

Additionally, CSET has organized 101 community outreach sessions on TB, with over 768 participants from high-risk groups. These sessions are designed to be accessible and engaging, offering practical information on TB symptoms, prevention, and treatment. Such efforts have raised community awareness, reduced stigma and fear around TB, and encouraged proactive screening and treatment adherence.

Photo: A group knowledge-sharing session about TB organized by CSET members for the local community

CSET’s efforts are proving instrumental in bridging the gap between patients and healthcare systems, steadily advancing Vietnam toward universal health coverage (UHC) for TB. Their unwavering dedication not only ensures effective treatment and connection for TB patients but also fosters awareness, reduces stigma, and moves us closer to the ultimate goal of eradicating TB in Vietnam.