The [him] moderator would like to take a look at the prevention guidelines.
[him] moderator
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Social workers set plans for HIV/AIDS ministry
Published Date: April 1, 2010
YANGON (UCAN) — Church workers from different dioceses are drawing up guidelines for a more effective HIV/AIDS ministry in the country where the disease is rampant.
The Guideline Working Committee Meeting of Karuna Myanmar HIV/AIDS is being held in Yangon from March 29–April 2, bringing together 11 participants from 10 dioceses.
“We have discussed and will decide program guidelines for HIV/AIDS which include principles and strategy,” Doctor Soe Moe Aung, project manager of the HIV/AIDS section of KMSS (Karuna Myanmar Social Services) told UCA News.
“Until now we have had no clear guidelines and we cannot work effectively without them.
“We will present the draft guidelines to the board of directors’ meeting and then to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar. After getting confirmation from the CBCM, we will be able to work effectively for those suffering from HIV/AIDS,” Soe Moe said.
Julia, 31, health project manager of Karuna Banmaw Social Service, in Banmaw diocese, said that stigma and discrimination against HIV patients was particularly prevalent in the villages and rural areas.
“We are only allowed to work in limited areas,” she said.
Awareness programs conducted
“We have four home-based care teams who help with blood testing, care and support, prevention and the raising of awareness [of the disease]. Until now we have conducted awareness training for 700 people and will continue to give support for up to 2,000 people.”
She said the service has distributed antiretroviral drugs to 30 patients and given education support to 16 children as well as food to those in need. There have also been income generation programs.
“Through the guidelines we will clearly come to know what to do and not to do … and work more effectively for those who have suffered HIV/AIDS,” Julia told UCA News.
Ko Win Myat, health coordinator of Kengtung Karuna, said that working with uneducated people is one of the challenges.
The majority of those infected are road construction workers, and girls and women working in the border areas.
Because of stigma and discrimination, they refuse to have their blood tested.
Rosa Seng Nu, 24, co-ordinator of the HIV/AIDS awareness program in Myitkyina diocese said that although the numbers of HIV-positive people are increasing, accurate data is hard to gather due to people’s reluctance to seek help.
Columba Chang, a volunteer from Banmaw diocese told UCA News the guidelines will help those serving people with HIV. “They will also empower local clergy and Religious people to support the mission.”
MY09309/1595 April 1, 2010
http://www.ucanews.com/2010/04/01/social-workers-set-plans-for-hiv-ministry/
