Final answer:
Paul Farmer believes in affordable and accessible cost-effective treatment for TB, with a focus on health equity and preventing antibiotic resistance. He supports directly observed therapy as a means to ensure treatment completion and combat drug resistance, though he recognizes the associated challenges in low-resource settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paul Farmer, a renowned medical anthropologist and physician, views the cost-effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB) with a lens of health equity and resource allocation. Understanding that TB disproportionately affects those in underdeveloped or underserved regions, Farmer has advocated for comprehensive health care that is both affordable and accessible, which includes the treatment of TB. His work, via Partners in Health (PIH), emphasizes the importance of adhering to the full course of TB treatment to prevent antibiotic resistance - a growing concern as the emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains of TB increase worldwide.
In light of antibiotic resistance, Farmer would likely argue for the necessity of directly observed therapy (DOT) as it has proven to be effective in ensuring patients complete their treatment regimen. However, he would also be cognizant of the challenges and costs associated with DOT, especially for patients in low-resource settings. Farmer's experiences in Haiti and his dedication to providing necessary treatments in parts of the world neglected by modern medicine demonstrate his commitment to implementing practical solutions that can work globally. His goals entail not only treating diseases like TB and AIDS effectively but doing so in a way that is sustainable and equitable for the poorest and most vulnerable populations.