The Community Based MDR-TB Care Programme partners with healthcare workers, nurses and community volunteers to support patients with treatment adherence. This is through evening delivery of medicines, monitoring of treatment side effects and through community support networks. The programme also provides financial support to people in treatment to help reduce costs associated with care and conducts systematic household contact screening for infection control.
The programme has developed a checklist for side effects associated with MDR-TB treatment in collaboration with the NTP’s Central-Upper Myanmar Branch. Field staff use this document to regularly assess any side effects related to treatment and ensure early referrals are given to anyone showing adverse reactions.
The Union implements this programme in 27 townships across three regions and one state in Myanmar, covering a population of 6.3 million with support from the Global Fund.