Mobile Money Snapshot: URC TB Care II Program

The program, funded by USAID, aimed to reduce the incidence of TB and MDR-TB in Bangladesh. URC partnered with the National Tuberculosis Program and local NGOs to provide technical support and manage grants for TB detection and management. Between November 2013 and April 2014, URC disbursed approximately BDT 6,691,112 (USD 89,214) using mobile money to 1,050 individuals, including 738 MDR-TB patients and 312 DOT providers. The mobile money transactions provided financial incentives to patients to continue their 24-month treatment and purchase nutritious food. DOT providers received financial incentives to cover mobile phone costs and transportation costs associated with daily visits to patients' homes. The mobile money system was adopted in November 2013 to speed up fund disbursement, which previously took about a month. URC partnered with DBBL, one of Bangladesh's largest mobile financial service providers, to implement the mobile money system. Mobile money accounts were opened for all TB patients and DOT providers with mobile phones or SIM cards. Individuals without SIM cards were requested to purchase one to receive payments. URC faced several challenges in implementing mobile money, including resistance from field-level staff and difficulties in receiving fund transfer statements from DBBL. However, with internal trainings and support from DBBL, the resistance faded, and staff became more motivated to use mobile money. URC's finance team is currently working with DBBL to regularize the disbursement of e-statements and ensure confirmation SMS are sent with fund transfers. The key benefits of mobile money for URC include timely disbursement of funds and reduced complaints of non-receipt of funds, misuse of funds, and ghost patients. URC's finance team can now track which patient receives the money and the exact time, making it easier to verify any discrepancies. The experience of URC demonstrates that transitioning from cash to mobile payments can be a relatively straightforward process with commitment and awareness raising.