Despite poor relations between the governments of the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a US charity is ramping up efforts against an epidemic of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the DPRK, where it says it is making inroads in fighting the deadly disease.

The Eugene Bell Foundation travels to the DPRK twice a year, bringing high-end equipment and drugs to treat TB patients. The foundation returns this month on a whirlwind, three-week mission to help hundreds of patients.

Pyongyang currently faces stiff US criticism for detaining three US citizens. But the foundation, located in Washington, says it has a good working relationship with Pyongyang and its doctors. It started out providing food aid in the 1990s, but has since mostly helped the nation's health system.