HIV/AIDS in Burma

HIV/AIDS in Burma (or 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 Burma 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. However, the National AIDS Programme Burma found that 32% of sex workers and 43% of intravenous drug users in Burma have HIV. 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 Burma. Burma (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. 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).

Government action
The Ministry of Health began surveying for HIV/AIDS in Burma in 1985. The first HIV case in Burma was reported in 1988, and the first AIDS patient in Burma was reported in 1991. 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. 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 Burma after the national government imposed restrictions on travel of its staff, which contradicted earlier written agreements.