The cumulative results for 2021 are shown as a percentage of the annual target. TB–HIV indicators (collaborative sites) and MDR-TB treatment indicators are funded by GFATM and other donors, while the others are funded by GFATM only.

In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic and the political situation which brought up many challenges in the way programmes were implemented in the country, PR-UNOPS and its implementing partners continued to maintain TB case finding, diagnosis and treatment services while undertaking COVID-19 infection control measures so that the interventions were ensured not to be interrupted. 

In 2021, 65,801 (46% of the annual target) TB patients were notified and enrolled on treatment. With the challenges such as travel restrictions, COVID-19 containment measures, political instability and security concerns, active case finding mobile teams were not able to be implemented. 

PR-UNOPS was working closely with the healthcare providers to strengthen COVID-19 fever clinics as a frontline role for TB screening. Through the Global Fund’s support, TB active case finding activities were conducted with portable digital X-rays at Fever Clinics. 

Moreover, a total of 250 children under the age of 5 years who were in contact with TB patients, began TB Preventive Therapy (TPT). 

In 2021, 9,163 (33% of target) cases were notified among high-risk groups. However, only 35 of all forms of TB cases were notified among prisoners. Due to the COVID and security concerns, TB case finding activities were not conducted in prisons/work camps in 2021. 

Some 55% (64% of target) of TB patients with HIV infection had been enrolled on ART during TB treatment by the end of the year. The TB and HIV programmes continue to improve coordination and collaboration between the two programmes to maintain the good achievements on TB-HIV.

In 2021, 1,432 (37% of target) multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) cases were notified. And 1,295 (37% of target) MDR-TB patients were put on second-line treatment. In 2021, the overall TB case notification was significantly declined. Moreover, the BSL-3 laboratories and GeneXpert sites had limited function due to the pandemic and the political situation in the country. Therefore, MDR-TB case notification was also decreased. In 2021, 2.2% (86%) of MDR-TB patients who started treatment in the last 12 months, were lost to follow-up during the first 6 months of the treatment. With the GF support, the 10 color Xpert machines have been installed in the Yangon region to do Extensively Drug-Resistant (XDR) TB testing. 

The drug sensitivity testing (DST) coverage was 32.4% (40% of target), with nearly half of the registered TB patients tested. Through improved collaboration with the implementing partners, it is still critical to increase DST coverage. 

About 27,112 (83% of target) of TB patients were referred and/or treated by partners implementing the public-private-mix (PPM) approach. The number of all forms of TB notified by community volunteers through community-based TB care activities was 11,387 (57% of target).

For Community-based TB care services, although large sessions such as community awareness sessions, mobile team activities were stopped due to the pandemic, one-to-one Health Education sessions and patient counseling were conducted.

PR-UNOPS continues to provide laboratory investigation fees, transportation allowance and nutrition support to MDR-TB patients via ATM transfer, mobile money transfer (WavePay) or direct cash payment. TB volunteers are providing Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) supervision either in one-to-one or via tele-communications.