It appears that more money may be spent on HIV. But in any case it is necessary to prove to the Global Fund that the government spends some money on it. Why isn't the amount mentioned? Or a range?
Jamie
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Separate budget on HIV expected to be provided
Win Ko Ko Latt and Yamon Phu Thit
MM Times
Thursday, 22 August 2013
Next year’s budget will create a separate budget line to the fight against HIV, a member of parliament has revealed.
“The separate budget [line] will be part of the overall health budget and will be initiated [in 2014-15],” U Tin Maung Oo, secretary of the Pyithu Hluttaw Public Affairs Management Committee, said at a meeting with civil society leaders in Nay Pyi Taw on August 15.
The meeting was held to get feedback on the Association Law drafted by the committee and has become a growing concern in the NGO sector.
National NGO Network chair Daw Nwe Zin Win, who attended the August 15 meeting, said only a few details about the budget line were revealed.
“We have not discussed it exactly yet but the [HIV] budget will focus on anti-retroviral therapy and HIV testing,” she said.
The health budget for 2013-14 is more than K400 billion (US$412 million), an increase of K130 billion, or almost 50 percent, on 2012-13.
Organisations working on HIV/AIDS welcomed the news and said it was the direct result of their lobbying efforts.
Ko Thiha Kyaing, chairman of Phoenix Association, said NGO leaders had met parliamentarians and political party leaders to discuss HIV-related issues and request they raise them in the hluttaw. The first meeting was held in May 2012 and a follow up took place last month.
“There is a lot that needs to be done with this proposed budget,” he said. “Prevention [among high-risk groups] is the most important priority and we also need to provide ART treatment for people living with HIV and also take other steps to reduce new infections,” he said.
More than 240,000 people are estimated to be living with HIV in Myanmar. About half are thought to be in need of ART, of which only 50,000 receive it.
In June, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria issued grants to Myanmar worth about $315 million between 2013-16, of which more than $160 million will go toward responding to HIV.
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/7914-separate-budget-on-hiv-expected-to-be-provided.html
