Drug-resistance tuberculosis (TB) cases continue to be a cause of concern in Arakan State as World TB Day was marked globally on March 24.

Around 140,000 TB and drug-resistant TB cases are reported annually in Myanmar, which is on a list of 30 high drug-resistant TB burden countries, according to officials of the TB department.

The TB department in Sittwe provides phlegm tests for residents to diagnose TB, and provides free medical treatment.

“Some TB patients do not take medication as prescribed by doctors, or stop taking medicines without doctor’s permission. As a result, drug-resistant TB cases have increased,” said an official of the TB department at Sittwe Hospital.

“TB can be treated if patients take medicines as prescribed by doctors. However, it is almost impossible to treat drug-resistant TB,” said Dr. Kyaw Min Soe from Sittwe.

TB can be treated by taking medicines for six to eight months. In case of drug-resistant TB, however, patients typically must take a cocktail of medicines for 18 to 24 months.

“TB is transmissible. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. When a person with TB speaks or coughs, the bacteria from his lungs and respiratory tract will reach in the air. And people who inhale the air can be infected,” said Dr. Kyaw Min Soe.

Symptoms include cough, phlegm, bloody cough, fever, weight loss, low appetite and lethargy.

People with compromised immune systems, diabetes, cancer, and malnutrition are prone to TB.