MPG highlights the urgent need to scale up Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) in Myanmar, emphasizing community-led solutions, strengthened partnerships, and sustained investment to ensure equitable access to life-saving TB prevention services.

Bridging a Critical Gap in HIV and TB Prevention: Scaling Life-Saving TB Prevention for People Living with HIV

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading causes of illness and death among people living with HIV in Myanmar. Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) is a proven and essential intervention that significantly reduces the risk of developing active TB and improves long-term health outcomes.

Despite its importance, TPT coverage remains low in Myanmar, with only around 21% of eligible individuals initiating TPT in 2024, highlighting a critical gap in prevention efforts.

Closing this gap is essential to strengthening the national HIV response and ensuring that people living with HIV can lead healthier and more secure lives.

Why TPT Matters in the Myanmar Context

Myanmar continues to face a complex HIV epidemic, with an estimated 292,000 people living with HIV and over 10,000 new infections annually.

In this context:

• TB co-infection is a significant contributor to HIV-related morbidity and mortality
• Service disruptions and resource limitations continue to affect continuity of care
• Vulnerable populations face barriers in accessing prevention and integrated health services

TPT is therefore a core component of comprehensive HIV care, contributing to improved treatment outcomes, reduced mortality, and stronger health system performance.

Challenges Limiting TPT Scale-Up

Despite progress in treatment and care, several challenges continue to limit TPT uptake:

Limited Awareness and Demand: Many individuals are not fully informed about TPT benefits, resulting in low demand and missed prevention opportunities.

Service Delivery Gaps: Although TPT is included in national service packages, implementation remains uneven across different settings, particularly in areas with limited resources or access.

Health System Constraints: Programmatic reviews have highlighted ongoing challenges including human resource shortages, reduced community-based support systems and disruptions in service delivery affecting continuity of care.

Financing and Programmatic Limitations:  Changes in funding availability and prioritization have impacted prevention services and outreach efforts, limiting the ability to scale up TPT effectively.

MPG’s Contribution: Community-Led Solutions

As the national network of people living with HIV, MPG plays a critical role in advancing TPT through community-led approaches.

MPG contributes by:

• Promoting TPT awareness and treatment literacy through peer-led education
• Strengthening referral and linkage systems between communities and health facilities
• Supporting adherence and follow-up through trusted peer networks
• Reaching vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations through community-based engagement

Through its extensive network, MPG ensures that services are not only available, but also accessible, acceptable, and responsive to community needs.

Aligning with National Priorities and GC8 Opportunities

The importance of scaling up TPT is clearly reflected in Myanmar’s strategic priorities, including:

• Strengthening integrated HIV-TB service delivery
• Expanding people-centered and community-led approaches
• Improving access to prevention, treatment, and care across priority populations

As Myanmar moves forward into the Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 (GC8) and beyond, there is a critical opportunity to strengthen TPT implementation at scale.

With its strong community presence and implementation experience, MPG is well positioned to expand its programmatic role and contribute more significantly to national TPT efforts.

Sustaining Momentum: Investing in TPT Scale-Up

Closing the TPT gap requires sustained and coordinated investment.

Strengthening TPT scale-up will enable:

• Expanded access to life-saving TB prevention for people living with HIV
• Stronger community-based service delivery and follow-up systems
• Improved treatment outcomes and reduced HIV-related mortality
• More resilient and integrated HIV-TB responses

MPG expresses sincere appreciation to the National AIDS Program (NAP), ICAP and FHI360 for their continued technical support and collaboration.

Continued investment—particularly under GC8—is essential to scale community-led approaches and ensure equitable access to TB prevention services.

Leadership Perspective

Executive Director, Myanmar Positive Group (MPG):

“Tuberculosis preventive treatment is one of the most effective interventions we have to protect the lives of people living with HIV, yet too many are still not receiving it. Closing this gap requires sustained investment, strong partnerships, and community leadership at every level.”

“MPG is committed to expanding TPT through community-led approaches that reach those most in need. With continued support and the opportunities under GC8, we are ready to strengthen our programmatic role and ensure that TB prevention becomes a standard part of care for every individual.”

Moving Forward

Closing the TPT gap requires collective action—across communities, government, partners, and donors.

With strong partnerships, community leadership, and sustained investment, Myanmar can accelerate progress toward ensuring that every person living with HIV has access to life-saving TB prevention services.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Photo 1:
MPG peer educators delivering community-based health education on TB prevention and HIV care.

Photo 2:
Community outreach activities supporting referral and linkage to HIV and TB services.

Photo 3:
Participants engaged in community-led discussions on treatment literacy and prevention services.