Shortage of TB doctors leading to patient backlogs
Head doctors at hospitals around Myanmar are calling for more resources to be dedicated to the fight against tuberculosis, as a current shortfall in medical officers has left patients waiting on treatment. The calls were made at an annual national evaluation meeting in Yangon on December 16. Mingalardon Specialist Hospital superintendent Dr Ko Ko Naing said that while the hospital prioritises HIV and TB patients, there are only a few doctors who specialise in TB, leading to a significant patient backlog. Under staffing, he says, is a pressing matter. “The shortages are always medical machines and manpower. But the most important problem is manpower. We are facing a lack of medical officers,” he said. Other doctors pointed to a general lack of expertise on TB, as doctors frequently transfer.
