INDONESIA

Fighting Against HIV in Burma: A Long Way to Go

Fighting Against HIV in Burma: A Long Way to Go

Over the last decade HIV cases in Myanmar have decreased by 15%.

But the country still has the worst infection rates in Asia.

A government plan was put in place two years ago to ensure that everybody would have access to anti-retroviral drugs by 2015.

And there would be a generation free from HIV by this time.

Poe Lay recently turned three years old.

She’s from a small town in Mon state, 120 kilometers north of Yangon.

But today she’s at an HIV clinic in Yangon’s South Dagon.

Poe Lay was born HIV positive. It was transmitted to her from her mother during pregnancy.

She has to stay at the clinic for two months to receive treatment.

“At such a young age, she cannot explain her situation. So she needs to take ARV drugs as a precautionary measure before the situation gets worse. Or she may suffer from other diseases.”

Poe’s mother Aye Mar sells fish in the local market. She contracted HIV from her husband but she didn’t know until she fell ill during pregnancy.

“The doctor checked my blood and urine, and said my blood was clean. I did not understand anything. After that my situation went even worse and I started to get thinner.”

This time she got checked for HIV – and found she was HIV positive.

Aye mar says she used to be angry with her husband, but not now.

“I have no such anger anymore; I just accept it as according to my karma.”

Myat Min is 13. His mother passed away when he was four and then his father’s death followed a year and a half later.

He found out he was HIV positive when he was eleven.

“I take pills twice a day, 8 o' clock in the morning and 8 o' clock at night. “

A government plan was put in place two years ago that said that by 2015 a generation would be free from HIV.

Those working in the field say that target will not be reached...

Thein Htay is in charge of HIV/AIDS prevention and care centre run by the opposition in Burma, the National League of Democracy.

“I think the possibility is less likely. Because even the number of patients in this country is not correct as it declares.”

Thein Htay works at the HIV clinic that Poe Lay and her mother get treated at.

Though there are more clinics now – they are overcrowded and there is still a lack of anti-retroviral drugs.

But there has been some progress.... Nearly double the numbers of people who need it are now getting HIV treatment -- compared to three years ago.

“This project will be successful if their interest is genuine and participation is active.”

But Thein Htay says the government needs to do more to prevent mothers transmitting the disease to their children.

“Some do not have this awareness at all. Couples do not know they need a medical check before they have a baby. Neither mother nor father knows of it. As a result the baby is born with HIV. Some parents may have some knowledge, but they are too scared to get a medical check.”

Last month Aung San Suu Kyi announced her commitment to HIV and called to end stigma and discrimination towards those who have the disease.

But patients like Aye Mar need treatment not just words. 

“My life relies on the drug. So I am really worried the clinic may close for any reason.”

With access to regular drugs Myat Min can dream of the future.

“My hobby is to repair air conditioner so I will do that job when I grow up.”


  • Burma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • clinic HIV/AIDS
  • DVB

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