HIV/AIDS in Myanmar
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HIV/AIDS in Myanmar, recognised as a disease of concern by the Ministry of Health, is most prevalent among sex workers and intravenous drug users. In 2005, the estimated adult HIV prevalence rate in Myanmar was 1.3% (200,000 - 570,000 people), according to UNAIDS, and early indicators show that the epidemic may be waning in the country, although the epidemic continues to expand.[1][2][3] However, the National AIDS Programme Myanmar found that 32% of sex workers and 43% of intravenous drug users in Myanmar have HIV.[3] The national government, in 2005, spent USD$137,120 (K150,831,600) on HIV, while international donors (the governments of Norway, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Sweden) donated USD$27,711,813 towards HIV programmes in Myanmar.[4] Myanmar (ranked 51 out of 166 countries) has one of Asia's highest adult HIV prevalence rates, following Cambodia and Thailand. An estimated 20,000 (range of 11,000 to 35,000) die from HIV/AIDS annually.[5] In geographic terms, the lowest rates of HIV were in the West (Rakhine State and Chin State), while intermediate rates were in the central region (Mandalay Division, Magwe Division, Sagaing Division, Bago Division), and the highest infection rates were in the North (Kachin State), East (Shan State, Kayin State), and South (Mon State, Tanintharyi Division).[6][5]
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[edit] Government action
The Ministry of Health began surveying for HIV/AIDS in Myanmar in 1985.[7] The first HIV case in Myanmar was reported in 1988, and the first AIDS patient in Myanmar was reported in 1991.[7] Surveillance for HIV began the following year, and a prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme subsequently began in 2000. In 2005, antiretroviral therapy was introduced to the public sector, although only 3% of HIV/AIDS patients currently receive such treatment.[7][2] Currently, AIDS is one of the priority diseases in the National Health Plan. On 18 August 2005, the The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria terminated its USD$98,400,000 grant (USD$19,200,000 towards HIV/AIDS) in Myanmar after the national government imposed restrictions on travel of its staff, which contradicted earlier written agreements.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ At a glance: Myanmar - statistics (HTML). UNICEF. Retrieved on 2007-01-09.
- ^ a b A scaled-up response to AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (PDF). UNAIDS (2005-07-01). Retrieved on 2007-01-10.
- ^ a b Asia (PDF). UNAIDS (December 2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-09.
- ^ Fund for HIV/AIDS in Myanmar - Annual Progress Report (PDF). UNAIDS (2005-04-01). Retrieved on 2007-01-09.
- ^ a b Myanmar: Epidemiological Fact Sheets (PDF). UNAIDS (2004). Retrieved on 2007-01-10.
- ^ Assessing the magnitude of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Burma. (HTML). National Center for Biotechnial Information (2007-08-18). Retrieved on 2007-01-10.
- ^ a b c HIV/AIDS (PDF). Ministry of Health, Myanmar. Retrieved on 2007-01-09.
- ^ Termination of Grants to Myanmar (PDF). The Global Fund (2007-08-18). Retrieved on 2007-01-10.
