HIV/Aids

HIV is a major killer. Initially driven by high-risk behaviour, now more and more women and children are becoming infected. AIDS is treatable with anti-retro-viral treatment (ART) but this is not available for most people. On the private market these drugs costs 30-40 USD per month, which is more than most salaries. NGOs can import these drugs tax free for 9 USD per month but most NGOs only have very small-scale treatment programs. Therefore most (80%) AIDS patients in Myanmar who need ART do not have access to it and consequently die (please see film at www.medicalactionmyanmar.org). MAM wants to treat patients with ART, with preferential treatment for single parents and children. In addition, we want to prevent transmission of HIV from mothers to children. All pregnant women should be offered screening for HIV and if positive they should receive ART to prevent HIV infected their baby. MAM clinics will provide a package of services including ART. For this we need specially trained doctors. Dr Ni Ni Tun is one of the most experienced doctors treating AIDS patients in Myanmar. She will supervise the diagnosis of opportunist infections and treatment. She will also advise other organisations regarding diagnoses and treatment of AIDS patients. MAM also plans to work with one or more of the township hospitals to treat ART inside the government hospitals.