The final line of this article is irrational. "Observers suggest the junta might face strong international condemnation if the true extent of the problem was known."
The junta already faces strong international condemnation. And the true extent of the problem is very well known. There is a public record. Many of the documents downloadable from the HIV Information for Myanmar [him] website are official Myanmar government publications. What do the observers think is being hidden?
[him] moderator
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Suu Kyi Offers Compassion to HIV/AIDS Victims
The Irrawaddy
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Burmese pro Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi sat among the young children in the main hall of the National League for Democracy headquarters, affectionately cuddling one 2-year-old. The children, who all live with HIV/AIDS, were there to celebrate World AIDS Day on Wednesday.
The little girl called Suu Kyi “Mom,” and Suu Kyi said, “Sweetheart,” back to her warmly. Eyes misted over as many in the hall choked back their tears.
“We need to be compassionate to each other. Nobody is perfect but some people think those living with HIV/AIDS are sinners just as they think politicians are sinners. This is completely wrong. It is better to support them [HIV/AIDS victims] than think like that,” Suu Kyi said.
Suu Kyi stressed that it is vital for HIV/AIDS patients to keep up their spirits and not to get downhearted, adding that it is important to get medicine for patients and that everyone should try hard to get enough for each patient.
Suu Kyi's words offered encouragement to people living with HIV/AIDS as in Burma they suffer doubly because of harassment by the authorities.
“We support Suu Kyi and I will follow her advice,” said one of the patients who came from south Okkalapa Township in Rangoon.
Nearly 300 HIV/AIDS patients supported by NLD affiliated groups took part in the ceremony at the NLD headquarters, which was also attended by Suu Kyi’s son, Kim Aris (aka Htein Lin) and Dr U Myint, a retired economics professor at the Rangoon Institute of Economics who played guitar and sang to the audience.
Poets also attended and read their works.
“I could forget about my affliction when I met Suu Kyi close up. We get ostracized by so many people that I couldn't hold back my tears when she showed us such loving kindness,” said a 20-year-old girl with a tearful tone.
“I couldn't believe it was real. I thought I was living in a dream,” said a 50-year-old man who felt similarly overcome with emotion.
A current UN AIDS report says that less than a quarter of estimated 240,000 people in Burma carrying the HIV virus are being treated with anti-retroviaral drugs. An estimated 16,000 adults were newly infected in 2009—the highest number in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile the Burmese government is reluctant to publicize details about the epidemic as it is considered a sensitive issue. Observers suggest the junta might face strong international condemnation if the true extent of the problem was known.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=20243
