Here is a letter, posted with her permission, from Sister Martha Paul, who supports a CBO providing services to people living with HIV in Myanmar. Read every word, please.

Jamie

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Our group, Community Based Organization started providing ART treatment since 2005. We had to buy from Vimala company with over ks.40000/- per bottle which has a month's provision.

There was no CD4 count nor viral load testing. The physician by looking at the patient's condition made the decision to grant the ART treatment. The three persons who got it are still living in good health. They are women who do not smoke, drink or suffer from addiction and take treatment faithfully.

In 2007, twenty people living with HIV including 5 - 8 years children are still alive and attending school.

Out of our 103 patients 101 including 23 children under 16 are on the ART treatment.

The rate of death lessens much and with the regular counselling, home visits and follow up all these patients are living normal life.

But most of those who have to go to the government hospital return with depression and feel discriminated against. There is not enough counselling or follow up visits at the government services. As a result patients do not live long in spite of the ART treatment.

I am writing this with 17 years of service and living experience with HIV patients.

Now there is enough ART for my patients from the government hospital but not enough quality service. If this goes on people will not live a normal life expectancy but live short lives due to opportunistic infections.

Sister Martha Paul