AIDS Prevention and Control Programme in Myanmar This message
|
Myanmar
responded to AIDS since 1985 by organizing a Technical Committee to observe and study
potential hazards of AIDS epidemic. A short term plan was formulated at the time when
first HIV positive case was reported in 1988. The coordinated HIV/AIDS control workplan
was developed in 1990 and was implemented as Medium Term Plan I and II successively. Based
on the findings of ad-hoc surveys and regular sentinel surveillance system. HIV/AIDS was designated as one of the priority diseases and was recognized as the national concern. The workplan for AIDS Control Programme has been formulated under the framework of the National Health Plan and the activities identified have been carried out in line with the guidance of the National AIDS Committee. The National AIDS Committee (NAC) of Myanmar was formed since 1988 under the leadership of National Health Committee. It was restructured and strengthened in February 1998 to better prepare and respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the context of sub-regional, regional and as a member country of ASEAN nations. The whole new Ministry-"Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National races and Development Affairs" was founded for the multi-sectoral development of Border Areas and National Races. In the recent years outstanding changes have taken place in terms of social, economic and political situation. "Uplift of health, fitness and education standards of the entire nation" is one of the four social objectives of the nation. In collaboration between related Ministries, the social and economic upliftment of the entire region was carried out adopting multi-faceted and multi-sectoral approach. New hospitals and health centers were built for the national races and more health care personnel were designated to promote health status in these areas. Primary Health Care had spearheaded into the border areas and ethnic races in the region together with basic primary education for all. Multi-lingual health education on HIV/AIDS was targeted to all the people in the region with the intent of reaching to the grass root level. Thousands of Auxiliary Nurses and Midwives were trained intensively and extensively and they are now taking an active role as health cadres in disease control, clinical care and educational activities with special emphasis on HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Massive destruction of Opium Produce Sites, Replacement of Crops, Livestock Farming, Yield reduction and demand reduction for narcotic drugs were carried out with force in the area. The absolute opium free zone was declared in Monglar special area next to China which is the good example how the nation successfully staunch the spread of drug abuse problem and the following HIV/AIDS epidemic. This was a nation's response to contain the drug abuse and HIV/AIDS problem at the regional level as an ASEAN member country. Activities of the National Programme 1. Education programmes for the general population and targeted groups up to the grass root level with special emphasis on border areas, ethnic groups and rural communities. Intervention programmes like peer education, trainer of trainers courses, education for mobile population and migrant workers, youth and women at reproductive age are being conducted through out the country. 2. Coordination and collaboration with local international NGO's as well as with private sector has successfully achieved to enhance community education and care programmes. 3. Blood safety programme covers all townships in Myanmar in order to prevent HIV transmission in health care setting. 4. HIV epidemiological surveillance has been expanded to all States and Divisions in order to monitor the trend and situation of HIV problem in different population groups. 5. Control of sexually transmitted diseases has been intensified by adopting syndromic management approach. 6. Behaviour surveillance and STD surveillance were incorporated into existing HIV surveillance system since 1998. 7. Community based AIDS support volunteers were trained in the eastern and northen Shan States to carry out prevention, education and care activities in collaboration with NGO's and other related sectors. 8. Clinical management and care of AIDS patients has been improved by given training to medical officers and general practitioners. Drugs for opportunistic infections were also supplied to hospitals in need. 9. Myanmar is actively participating in UNAIDS regional activities, ASEAN regional programme and Greater Mekong Subregion AIDS programme. Cross border programmes are being implemented in Muse, Tachileik, Monglar, Kyaington, Kawthaung and Myawaddy border areas. 10. Counselling services were expanded by providing more training courses for health staff, volunteers and NGO members in order to support persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Financial inputs Myanmar government is carrying out these AIDS and STD control activities with its own funding since AIDS programme was initiated. Annual government contribution is about 13 million Kyats to implement programme activities identified in the National Health Plan. UN agencies such as WHO, UNDP, UNICEF and UNAIDS are also supporting the National AIDS Programme in the areas like community education programmes, sentinel surveillance programme, STD treatment component, and enhancing capacity of the National Programme to build manpower and necessary resources especially to implement intervention programmes in the border areas. More collaboration with the countries in the region is expected with the intent of controlling HIV/AIDS in the region. Comment on Allegation Myanmar does not have sex industry and the number of drug users compare to other countries are very much less. It is very difficult to understand how the HIV/AIDS epidemic could spread from Myanmar into neighbouring countries as alleged by certain quarters. |
--------------