Implementer: MSF and National TB Programme

Site: MSF Clinics and Aung San TB Hospital, Yangon

MSF staff conducts a medical consultation with a female MDR-TB patient at MSF’s Insein clinic, Yangon, Myanmar. (Aye Pyae Sone / MSF)

Myanmar is among the 30 high TB burden countries, with prevalence twice the regional average and three times the global average. An estimated 191,000 people (361 cases per 100,000 people) had TB in 2016, and approximately 25,000 (47 per 100,000) died from the disease (not including HIV patients).

Myanmar is also among the 30 high MDR-TB burden countries, with an incidence of 5.1% among new cases and 27% among retreatment cases. An estimated 9000 acquired a drug-resistant form of the disease in 2016. A pilot MDR-TB project (2009-2011) achieved a 71% overall success rate, with a 17.3% death rate and 10.3% default rate. Programmatic management of MDR-TB, in which patients received a 24-month regimen, started in 2011. The program duration was changed two years ago to 20 months minimum treatment.