"My name is Maung Win Maung. I live at Let Pan Zaut village in Ma Hlaing township, Meiktilar. I earn my living from farming. I can still remember how I became a TB health worker from the Myanmar Health Assistant Association’s (MHAA) "Stop TB, Fight TB together" project supported by the Global Fund.

"Last one year ago, I had a persistent cough with lack of appetite and gradual weight loss. I became easily tired from my daily work. As I took it lightly thinking it would go away, I just tried all traditional remedies available in the village. There was a popular belief among the local people that any cough could be due to an increased body heat and I did all I knew — taking regular bath and laxatives — hoping my body heat would be reduced and thus my cough relieved.

"Contrary to my expectation, my stubborn cough would not go away but instead got worse and worse. I soon realized that I could no longer work and support my family as before. I could not earn my living anymore and consequently my family was forced into more hardships.

"I started to fear that I would never be able to get out of this vicious cycle of poor health, loss of income, life quality and poverty. While struggling to cope with my cough getting worse day by day, I got a message from a neighbour that there would be a community health talk on TB in the village by the project staff from MHAA's "Stop TB, Fight TB Together" project and I rushed there.

"Only then, I realized anyone suffering from a persistent cough with lack of appetite, night sweats and fever should get their sputum tested for TB. We were also encouraged to seek help and refer to them if we knew anyone with similar symptoms suspected of TB in the village and nearby. So much encouraged by their presence and help, I too decided to send my sputum for check-up — though with a very heavy heart from fear of being found infected with TB. My mood fell when I was informed of my sputum test result that I had TB.

"As I was much sorrowed for being diagnosed with TB, I took refuge in reassuring words from the project staff of the MHAA's "Stop TB, Fight TB Together" project — "Just take your medicine regularly, we guarantee that you will get completely cured of TB". I was not left alone and neglected after that. They continued providing me with all needed support — transportation cost to the hospital, nutritional support during treatment and getting a regular supply of anti-TB medication and many others.

"I was so much relieved of my worries and sorrow by their dedicated service that I asked myself "Am I not the most fortunate person in the world? What could be more needed than the lifesaving support that I received from the staff of MHAA's "Stop TB, Fight TB Together" project supported by the Global Fund?"

"Just after taking anti-TB medicines for two months, my health was so much improved that my family was happy to see me going back to work once again and our hard time was over. It was my good fate that brought staff from MHAA's "Stop TB, Fight TB Together" project right up to the villages in remote areas. I am greatly thankful to the staff from MHAA's "Stop TB, Fight TB Together" project, to the Global Fund and to the donors from all around the world who have made saving lives a reality.

"The most joyful moment in my life was when my sputum was rechecked after taking anti-TB medications for six months and found that I was completely cured of TB and I nearly jumped with joy.

"However, memories of my dark rainy days living with TB still lingered on and I could not help thinking of those who would be undergoing similar experiences like I used to. As I was completely cured of TB, I wished I could help those who remained still unreachable and far from quality health care services from various reasons — poor accessibility to health messages, lack of awareness of TB, lack of perception of susceptibility, and misconception.

"I was so much motivated by my cure of TB that I could successfully refer four people with persistent cough and lack of appetite suspected of TB in the village and nearby. Isn't it a miracle that a person like me with little school education can help save the lives of four TB patients getting them completely cured of TB?

"Like "a thirsty man who fell into a well", I immediately grasped the opportunity and accepted the offer to render my service for those in need when the TB health worker from our village moved to another village.

"Today, with the training and support I have received from the project staff of MHAA, I can regularly organize health education sessions to raise awareness on TB in my village. Whenever I have the chance in my free time, I spread health messages on TB by handing out pamphlets on TB prevention and control, monitoring the patients on anti-TB treatment, actively participating in the monthly community meetings, networking with fellow TB health workers — sharing our experiences, challenges and success, our sorrow and joy — on our journey together to fight against TB.

"I would like to say that I am really proud to be a TB heath worker from the MHAA's "Stop TB, Fight TB Together" project supported by the Global Fund."