Good to see new topics at journalist workshops.
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Health experts call on private sector to increase HIV funding
Khin Myat
Myanmar Times
September 27 - October 3, 2010
MYANMAR donors should take a more active role in fighting HIV/AIDS and other related diseases, officials from non-government organisations said last week.
Dr Myo Lwin, a freelance consultant for HIV/AIDS awareness-raising programs, said Myanmar relies almost exclusively on international donors to combat HIV/AIDS and it was time local donors, especially businessmen, contribute to the cause.
“We only rely on international donors, who can withdraw from Myanmar at any time. There are many rich businessmen who can contribute in Myanmar, but they still think it is not their concern,” he said.
Dr Myo Lwin said it was in the private sector’s interest to reduce new HIV/AIDS transmissions. High HIV prevalence could delay the development of the country, as infection is most prevalent among those aged 15 and 49, which is the most productive working age.
He made the comments at a workshop for journalists reporting on HIV, held on September 13 and 17 at Chatrium Hotel in Yangon.
The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, better known as UNAIDS, estimates 237,684 people were living with HIV/AIDS in 2009, with 17,566 estimated AIDS deaths and 17,101 new infections that year. Of the almost 238,000 people with HIV, about 74,000 required antiretroviral treatment (ART).
Dr Sid Naing, country director of Marie Stopes International (Myanmar), said that presently most private donations go towards the construction, renovation and upkeep of pagodas, monasteries and other religious buildings. He said it should be possible to mobilise private sector funds for HIV and other social issues over the long-term without reducing religious donations.
“Changing people’s donation behaviour has to be our collective aim – both the aim of the media and social organisations,” he said in an email.
He said one possible way forward would be to establish a coordination mechanism to manage a pool of private sector donations. This would maximise transparency and equity and minimise inefficiency and wastage, he said, adding that networks of people living with HIV should play a key role in that mechanism.
U Nyi Nyi Aung, project manager at the Ratana Metta Organisation, agreed few businessmen contributed financially to fighting HIV/AIDS.
“But they should get involved because this issue is a national concern,” U Nyi Nyi Aung said.
The Ratana Metta Organisation provides ART to 310 people with HIV and the majority of its donations come from abroad. In 2009, the organisation had 241 international and 25 local donors, and this has risen to 280 and 30 respectively so far in 2010.
http://mmtimes.com/2010/news/542/54218news.html
