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Insein clinic, for treatment for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis C in Yangon. By Alessandro Penso, Feb 2018.

Myanmar: treating HIV, TB, and hepatitis C in Insein clinic, Yangon

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Insein clinic is one of two MSF clinics in Yangon, Myanmar where MSF provides treatment for HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and hepatitis C. In 2017, MSF provided care to 13,138 patients with HIV, TB or multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) at the two clinics. Forty-two patients co-infected with HIV started MDR-TB treatment, 21 patients started extensively drug-resistant TB treatment (as part of the endTB programme, currently 33 patients are on treatment), and the team initiated hepatitis C treatment to 197 HIV-positive patients.

Insein clinic, for treatment for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis C in Yangon. By Alessandro Penso, Feb 2018.
Insein clinic is one of two MSF clinics in Yangon, where MSF provides treatment for HIV, TB, and hepatitis C. In 2017, MSF provided care to 13,138 patients with HIV, TB or multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) at the two clinics. 42 patients co-infected with HIV started MDR-TB treatment, 21 patients started extensively drug-resistant TB treatment (as part of the endTB programme, currently 33 patients are on treatment) and the team initiated hepatitis C treatment to 197 HIV-positive patients.
Alessandro Penso/MAPS
Insein clinic, for treatment for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis C in Yangon. By Alessandro Penso, Feb 2018.
Kay Thi Soe, 30, from Myammar, inside the MSF's Insein clinic in Yangon. Kay Thi Soe lives in Yangon with her husband and has been coming to the MSF clinic since 2014 when she tested positive for HIV. In 2016, she discovered that she has MDR-TB. At one point during her treatment course, she was hospitalised for 4 months because her potassium level was too low. She lost a lot of weight, and was afraid that she was going to die. But the doctors and nurses took care of her and encouraged her to continue with treatment. When we met her, she was one month away from completing treatment for MDR-TB, and was very excited. “The first thing I want to do is tell my friends that I am OK and that treatment works.” She used to organise domestic tours around Myanmar, but hasn't been able to travel because she has to come to the clinic every day. Now she is really looking forward to starting work again.
Alessandro Penso/MAPS
Insein clinic, for treatment for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis C in Yangon. By Alessandro Penso, Feb 2018.
Tin Lay, 42, from Myanmar is in the preparation stage for TB treatment at MSF's Insein clinic, Yangon, Myanmar, February 2018.
Alessandro Penso/MAPS
Insein clinic, for treatment for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis C in Yangon. By Alessandro Penso, Feb 2018.
A TB patient takes his daily medication at MSF's Insein clinic.
Alessandro Penso/MAPS
Insein clinic, for treatment for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis C in Yangon. By Alessandro Penso, Feb 2018.
Maung Maung Than, 35, from Myammar inside the MSF's Insein clinic in Yangon. Maung Maung Than is from Thon Sein and in 2017, was hospitalised due to a motorbike accident near Bagan. At first, he was in a hospital bed near other patients. After the results of his blood test came back, the doctors moved him to a far corner away from the other patients. He didn't know what was going on, until the doctor explained to him that he had tested positive for HIV. At first, he felt very insecure and was shocked because he didn't feel any symptoms of HIV. He opened up to his friends, and some of them who are also living with HIV, encouraged him to get treatment. They told him that he can live a long life if you take the medications. He had known about MSF's clinic because he used to be a bus caller and bike taxi driver, so he came to Insein clinic to get treatment. He's been on treatment now for nine months, and his condition is stable. This means he only has to come to the clinic every 3 months to pick up his medications, and has an annual check-up with his medical team.
Alessandro Penso/MAPS
Insein clinic, for treatment for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis C in Yangon. By Alessandro Penso, Feb 2018.
Sandar Win, 36, from Myanmar, with her husband, Htin Paw Lynn, 31, who is HIV positive and receives ART (antiretroviral therapy) at MSF's Insein clinic.
Alessandro Penso/MAPS
Insein clinic, for treatment for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis C in Yangon. By Alessandro Penso, Feb 2018.
MSF staff member Nant Poe Ou performs an initial screening of a sputum sample for the presence of mycobacterium tuberculosis at MSF's Insein clinic in Yangon.
Alessandro Penso/MAPS
Insein clinic, for treatment for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis C in Yangon. By Alessandro Penso, Feb 2018.
Su Mon Thein is the head lab technician at Insein clinic. She is in charge of overseeing lab tests and their results, stock inventory, and supervises a team of technicians. Her favourite part of the job is working closely with her team, getting to know what inspires them and motivating each other to accomplish their work.
Alessandro Penso/MAPS
Insein clinic, for treatment for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis C in Yangon. By Alessandro Penso, Feb 2018.
A patient receives ART (antiretroviral therapy) at MSF’s Insein Clinic.
Alessandro Penso/MAPS
Insein clinic, for treatment for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis C in Yangon. By Alessandro Penso, Feb 2018.
Tin Lay, 42, from Myanmar, at MSF's Insein clinic. After 12 months of ART (antiretroviral therapy), Tin Lay is now in the preparation stage for TB treatment.
Alessandro Penso/MAPS
Insein clinic, for treatment for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis C in Yangon. By Alessandro Penso, Feb 2018.
A HIV-positive patient receives day-care support at MSF’s Insein clinic.
Alessandro Penso/MAPS