In [him] 1174 and on the blog at http://www.hivinfo4mm.org/blog/_archives/2010/4/20/4508541.html the [him] moderator stated that there had not been a participatory process in producing the Myanmar UNGASS report for 2010. No details of the process were given in the report. This contrasts with the reports of other countries of the region. The [him] moderator has lately been informed that the writing process did involve nongovernmental stakeholders. The [him] moderator apologises for his mistake.

Now that he knows that a process took place, he wants to raise a couple of issues.

There is an aphorism about justice: "Not only must Justice be done; it must also be seen to be done." The same can be said about a participatory process. A process that takes place inside Burma / Myanmar that is not publicised outside the country cannot be seen to have taken place. Openness and transparency is only open and transparent when we can see evidence of it.

Now that the [him] moderator knows that many people were involved in the participatory process, he would like to address the following four questions for them (or anyone else) to answer. Anonymously, of course.

1) Though the proportion of new infections through unprotected sex as opposed to unsafe injecting equipment has been said to be two to one for at least the last seven years, the [him] moderator is unaware of any credible data that this proportion reflects reality. Can any readers offer some?

2) The present report states that "Latest modelling estimated the HIV prevalence in the adult population aged 15-49 at 0.61% in 2009. It is estimated that around 238,000 people are living with HIV in Myanmar in 2009, of whom 74,000 are in need of antiretroviral therapy. In the same year, an estimated 17,000 people died of AIDS-related illness. Incidence is estimated at well above 10,000 new infections per year". These figures have hardly changed in two and a half years. Where is the estimation workshop report?

3) The word transgender doesn't even appear in the report. Where are they? Why are they not included? Will they be included in the new national strategic plan or will they be allowed to be infected and die secretly?

4) Nevirapine monotherapy is still being used for PMTCT. This borders on public health malpractice. What is the explanation? Can UNICEF explain?

[him] moderator