Aung Thura (name changed) is a 20-year-old patient from Hpakant who successfully completed treatment for drug-resistant TB in 2024. Having previously lost his father to the same disease, the diagnosis placed a heavy physical and emotional burden on him. Despite this, his commitment to treatment, strong motivation to reunite with his family, and the medical and psychosocial support provided by MSF—along with encouragement from his loved ones—enabled him to overcome these challenges and achieve a positive outcome.
However, success stories like Aung Thura’s are becoming increasingly challenging in Myanmar. The effective management of drug-resistant tuberculosis depends on early diagnosis, access to second-line medicines, long treatment times, and consistent follow-up—all of which are severely compromised by ongoing conflict and limitations on the movement of medical supplies. Treatment initiations are drastically declining.
According to World Health Organization, in 2024—the year Aung Thura successfully completed his treatment—only 2,478 people (23%) of the estimated 11,000 multidrug-resistant TB cases in Myanmar were initiated on treatment.Patients living in conflict-affected and hard-to-reach areas face a higher risk of treatment interruption and isolated from essential health services, with dangerously reduced access to diagnosis, follow-up, and disease surveillance, increasing the risk of community transmission.
Success stories like Aung Thura’s shouldn’t become an anomaly. A collective effort is required to mitigate the public health consequences of disrupted service provision. Through consistent collaboration with other actors in the country, MSF has provided quality care and supported many patients in the past, and we remain committed to provide life-saving services for the people of Myanmar.
Patients must be able to safely access life-saving care regardless of where they live or travel from; health staff must be able to deliver services safely wherever they work; and hospitals and clinics must be able to receive the medical supplies and resources needed to provide proper care to patients like Aung Thura.
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Related:
- endTB
- TB Day
- Tuberculosis
