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Myanmar: New HIV and AIDS project commences |
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Urgent issues
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Fishermen, taxi drivers, migrant workers and young people are among the main targets for World Vision's new HIV and AIDS programmes.
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By Wah Eh Htoo, World Vision Myanmar communications
World Vision Myanmar has commenced a new three-year project to combat HIV/AIDS.
The project, funded by the 3 Disease Fund supported by Australia, the European Commission, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, will benefit communities living mainly in border areas with Thailand and China.
These border areas are breeding grounds for the deadly disease with flourishing sex and drug trades as well as with the presence of millions of migrant workers.
Myanmar's HIV and AIDS prevalence rate has dropped slightly in the past year. However, at 1.3%, it is still above the 1% mark that is considered to show a generalised epidemic. An estimated 26% of sex workers and over one third of intravenous drug users are HIV-positive.
Areas which will benefit from the new project include Kawthaung, Dawei, Myeik, Thanphyuzayat, Hpa-an and Tarcheliek (close to Thailand), and Kokant and Kyaingtone (close to China).
The 3 Diseases Fund, a five-year program with the total of US$ 100 millions funding, aims to reduce the burden of communicable diseases, mortality and morbidity for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Myanmar. It brings a new hope for needy people in the country after the withdrawal of Global Fund in 2005.
World Vision Myanmar is one of 26 implementing partners for the fund, with a project budget of around US$340,000. Operations commenced in late November.
Dr Maung Naing, the Health Department Coordinator of WV Myanmar, said the project aimed to encourage people in high risk groups towards consistent use of condoms as well as to give standard health care for more HIV and AIDS patients.
''We also hope to raise the understanding of HIV and AIDS among local communities so that they would treat HIV and AIDS patients with dignity," added Dr Naing.
Fishermen, taxi-driver, sex-workers, men having sex with men (MSM), migrant workers, and young people aged between 15 and 19 are the main targeted groups.
World Vision will also concentrate on orphans and children who have been affected by HIV and AIDS.
Dr Naing said the project would provide a standard model in combating HIV/AIDS for World Vision in Myanmar.
''It's a great opportunity for us, as we could use the model in other ADPs (area development programmes) in the future," he said.
He said that as the Ministry of Health has an agreement for the fund, there would be not much difficulty in implementing the activities.
'' We only need proper understanding from the local authorities for smooth operation," he said.
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