Magwe AIDS awareness centre shut down by officials
Democratic Voice of Burma
14 February 2006

A locally run HIV/AIDS awareness centre in Pakhutku, Magwe division was
shut down by officials yesterday, according to organiser Ko Tin Ko.

Ko Tin Ko, a 31-year-old AIDS sufferer from Kan Ma township, opened the
small centre opposite a busy market on February 10, in an attempt to
increase the community's understanding of the disease.

"I started handing packs of condoms to young men who are over 18. I put
out HIV/AIDS educational books and leaflets I collected from the UNAIDS
office in Rangoon . . .," Ko Tin Ko said.

"I did what I thought I should do as an AIDS victim. This is not a form of
political movement. But today they are asking me to stop," he said.

Pakhutku Township Peace and Development Council secretary refused to
comment yesterday, saying he did not know the details of the closure.

Ko Tin Ko said the authorities did not realise that what he was doing
could help the government.

"I think there is a misunderstanding . . . NGOs are conducting HIV/AIDS
educational programs in our country because they are needed," he said.