The problem of emotional well-being during wartime is greatly exacerbated. This is especially true for people with TB, who, in addition to the hardships of war, are faced with treatment for their disease.

According to the Public Health Alliance, between 81% and 100% of people with multidrug-resistant TB who started treatment were screened for symptoms of depression. It was found that 35.9% of them had depressive disorders. These statistics also apply to children with TB.

Recognizing the urgency of the issue, the Alliance developed a methodology aimed at addressing mental health issues in people with multidrug-resistant TB and launched a pilot project in the Odesa, Kherson, and Kyiv regions. Thanks to the successful pilot project, this activity is now continuing in eight regions of Ukraine.

What services does the client receive?

• Provision of person-centered social services;
• Provision of food/hygiene kits, mobile phone/internet top-ups, travel compensation;
• Legal services;
• Accompanying the client for hospitalization and clinical monitoring of their condition;
• Assistance in finding temporary housing, restoring documents, providing clothing, assistance in organizing assistance from other institutions and organizations (Employment Service, Center of Social Services for Family, Children and Youth, CO);
• Delivery and monitoring of anti-TB drugs for clients who are unable to visit health care facilities on a daily basis;
• Provision of babysitting/nanny services (if necessary) for children with drug-resistant TB/drug-sensitive TB, taking into account their age and health status.

The direction “Improving the adherence of patients with drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB to treatment by providing medical and psychosocial support” (MPS) is currently being implemented by regional Red Cross organizations (Kyiv, Donetsk, Volyn, Zakarpattia, Mykolaiv, and Kherson), as well as the All-Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Lviv and the Life PLUS Mutual Aid Club in Odesa.

Thanks to physical and mental support, the recovery rate is higher. 100% of those who completed treatment showed positive results. Support for the psycho-emotional state is an important component for a successful outcome. The ICF “Alliance for Public Health” demonstrates the importance and effectiveness of mental recovery in people with TB through its own example.