Kalpita Shringarpure

Subtheme 3.1: although ostensibly free, accessing TB services costs time and money Studies in this synthesis reported that people needed multiple resources in order to access treatment, even though treatment itself is offered for free in the public sector health systems of all of the countries in which these studies were set. A person’s livelihood, social setup and associated constraints have already been discussed as critical factors that influenced continuation of treatment under theme 1.

We have answered all query/comments point to point and have indicated its current location in modified manuscript. In the flowchart and text, the authors talk about “Presumptive MDR-TB patients”. However, the patients enrolled in the study are diagnosed and registered MDR-TB cases. These are not the same thing. How is “Presumptive MDR-TB patients” defined and is the same definition being used in both the private and public sector facilities in the study?