The health of its people is reflected in the economy of a nation – healthy people produce healthy economies. It is unfortunate that in our country the effects of ill health on economy have not been fully appreciated. The burden imposed on individuals, families and the community by disease like TB contains an economic dimension. TB extracts costs – invariably in an economic sense – al all levels of the society, either directly through expenditure incurred in providing health and social care and support, or indirectly in terms of lost opportunities such as loss of employment. Other intangible costs include the anguish and anxiety experienced by the patients and their families. The havoc wrought by TB on individuals, families, whole communities and economies is enormous. Economic issues related to the problem of TB and its control are discussed in detail in the paper.