Guidelines for the Management of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) in Myanmar

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that the incidence of MDR/RR-TB in Myanmar was 14 (8.9-18) thousands in 2015. Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) has been reported since 2007 and National TB Reference Laboratory diagnosed 12 Pre XDR-TB and 14 XDR-TB patients by Second Line Solid DST in 2015. The third nationwide drug resistance survey (2012 – 2013) showed an MDR-TB rate of 5% among new cases and 27.1% among previously treated cases.

In order to improve management of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) and expand nation-wide programmatic management of drug-resistant TB (PMDT) in commensurate with new developments, the National Expert DR-TB committee organized meetings in 2016 to update the existing national guideline. This updated guideline has been prepared principally for use by National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) managers and staff, as well as partner organizations and all professionals, involved in delivering DR-TB care and implementing DR-TB control activities in Myanmar.