There is more smoke than fire in this investigative journalism on HIV in Chin State.
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HIV related deaths on the rise in Chin state
Muana
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
18 October 2006 - In the absence of provisions for blood tests, the mortality rate of people in western Burma's Chin state has given rise to suspicions of escalation in HIV positive infections.
The disease is suspected to have claimed 100 lives between July 2002 to May 2006 in Falam Township in Chin state, said delegates of the Burma Christian Council during information sharing with the Integrated Voluntary Public Health Education Network (IVPHEN) in India's northeastern state of Mizoram.
Other Townships in Chin State have also witnessed deaths from suspected HIV symptoms.
The Chin Medical Backpack Team, a voluntary health group operating along the Indo-Burmese borders of Thantlang, Matupi and Paletwa Townships in Chin state said the possibility of HIV/AIDS cannot be ruled out as the cause of the deaths in Chin State.
Dawt Mang, Director of CMBPT told Mizzima, "There is a possibility of HIV related deaths as no organization or government agencies conduct blood sample tests. Proper data cannot be provided as more research has to be conducted."
The visiting delegates identified, Tahan town in Sagaing division as being on the top of the list of suspected HIV positive deaths.
The major suspected carriers of HIV/AIDS in Chin State are reportedly Chin migrant workers returning from Malaysia, Pakhan of Kachin state and Northeastern states of India.
The delegates of the BCC requested IVPHEN volunteers to concentrate more on Burmese migrants in Mizoram by imparting awareness education and basic prevention of HIV/AIDS.
The delegates admitted that the BCC field educationists and awareness campaigners in Chin State missed many of the younger generation due to early migration in search of economic stability.
An awareness campaigner said, "Most of the time we talk to older people and children on HIV/AIDS awareness. But we could only cover a few of the younger generation."
The BCC has started active campaign on HIV/AIDS awareness and basic reventive measures since 2002. The Council is based in Tahan with its head office and has Falam, Hakha, Thantlang projects as its branches to cover Chin state.
http://www.mizzima.com/MizzimaNews/News/2006/Oct/17-Oct-2006-44.html
