Of 1187 patients started on treatment for tuberculosis in the hospitals, 877 (74%) were known to be alive at the end of treatment, whereas 158 (13%) had died. Distance travelled was a risk factor for death, but only amongst those travelling more than 60 km to get to the hospital (0-20 km: n = 313, odds ratio [OR] 1;>20-40 km: n = 436, OR 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71-1.67;>40-60 km: n = 205, OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.57-1.65;>60 km: n = 79, OR 2.87, 95%CI 1.59-5.17).