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Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo attends World AIDS Day 2007

In the fight against major diseases steps are being taken to control TB and malaria in addition to AIDS as a national duty

Nay Pyi Taw, 1 Dec-Jointly Organized by the Ministry of Health and UN agencies with the motto- Stop AIDS. Keep the promise. Reduce stigma and discrimination, all are human beings�, a ceremony to mark World AIDS Day 2007 was held at the Ministry of Health, here, this morning with an address by Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo.

The Secretary-1 said that with the aim of working in concert for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by departments, social organizations, people with HIV positive and the entire mass of people of the nation, the ceremony is observed from 1 to 7 December yearly and it has turned 20 years.

To raise HIV awareness among the public, the mottoes are designated yearly. This year's motto is Stop AIDS. Keep the promise. Reduce stigma and discrimination, all are human beings.

Under the leadership of the heads of the World nations, departments, social organizations, artistes, entrepreneurs and those with HIV infection are making relentless efforts for stepping up the work to control the AIDS, which has spread worldwide for two decades.

In the second part of this year's motto, the words Reduce stigma and discrimination, all are human beings are being laid down for striving to provide care and support for HIV infected persons and their families without discrimination.

So far, about 33.2 million people have been suffering from AIDS in the world. During this year, 2.5 million people were infected with the disease and about 2.1 million people died. About 46 per cent of HIV positive persons are women. Most people aged between 15 and 49 years in the world have died of AIDS. The lifespan of the people in some nations has dropped.

As an epidemic in the world, AIDS has hampered not only the public health of a nation but social and economic development of the world nations. All world nations are giving priority to taking action on HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

Therefore, the United Nations Millennium Development Goals cover the objectives to put an end to the spread of AIDS and to reduce the spread of the virulent disease in 2015.

In Myanmar, the government is taking systematic measures for uplift of health and fitness of the entire people, with the concept that the health and fitness of the people reflects the development of the nation and it is also a priceless resource for national development.

Moreover, arrangements are being made for each and every citizen to enjoy the public health care services as their social rights.

In the fight against major diseases steps are being taken to control TB and malaria in addition to AIDS as a national duty realizing that those diseases can pose a great danger to the public health.

In an effort to control AIDS the Central Committee for Control and Elimination of AIDS was formed in 1989 with the Ministry of Health, relevant ministries and social organizations at home and abroad. In the same way, the work committees at state, division. district and township levels were formed for successful realization of the task.

A Coordination Body comprising the ministries, UN agencies and social organizations at home and abroad was formed and possible steps are being taken for the control and treatment of AIDS, TB and malaria in Myanmar.

As part of the project for control of AIDS and syphilis efforts are being made for giving educative talks on AIDS, the cent per cent use of condoms in targeted groups in 170 townships and effective treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

Work is well under way for preventing the spread of HIV among those who used drugs through injection and from mother to foetus at 37 hospitals and in 106 townships while preventing the spread of HIV through blood transfusion and introducing the safe blood transfusion.

With this end in view, efforts are being exerted in all aspects through comprehensive activities covering the educative talks on treatment aiming at changing the behaviours of targeted groups with a high incidence of AIDS, treatment of AIDS, TB and their complications and community-based health care services for HIV infected persons and AIDS victims.

In this regard, 13 strategies on preventive measures and rehabilitation are now being implemented in accordance with the National Strategic Plan (2006-2010) adopted collectively by the relevant ministries, local NGOs, UN agencies and community-based organizations.

Moreover, educative talks are being held and rehabilitation services carried out systematically in order that there is no the social stigma of infected people and those suffering AIDS.

As for the taking care of HIV/AIDS victims, measures are being taken to provide medical care, mental and social assistance, consultancy and educative talks, HIV diagnosis and anti-retro viral therapy.

In cooperation with social organizations such as the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar Red Cross Society, Myanmar Medical Association, and Myanmar Nurses Association, community-based disease prevention and health care services started in 2006 for AIDS, TB and the other chronic diseases.

Moreover, in cooperation with various ministries and social organizations, measures are being taken to give educative talks on STD and prevention of women against HIV and to provide medical care for the HIV/AIDS patients.

For ensuring development of living standards of the women, the government is providing vocational training courses to them to have abilities to carry out the tasks to increase income. Furthermore, tasks of the providing assistance for enhancement of education, health and social standards of the women, the prevention against human trafficking and the rehabilitation of human trafficking victims contribute to the control of HIV/AIDS.

The government is joining hands with local social organizations, UN agencies and international social organizations in combating HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, the government is actively taking part in implementing the ASEAN HIV/AIDS Control Plan, the HIV Prevention Plan in Mekong Region Countries and regional and central level plans of UN agencies.

Moreover, Myanmar is cooperating with neighbouring countries to combat the control of TB and HIV/AIDS as the special plan. In September, workshops on prevention against AIDS, TB, malaria and other infectious diseases along the Myanmar-Thai border were organized in Yangon and Tachilek. All-out efforts were made for gradual decline of HIV infection after the year 2000. According to the findings from the HIV/AIDS Projection and Impact Analysis Workshop organized by WHO and the government in September 2007, the infection rate of HIV declined from 0.94 per cent in the year 2000 to 0.67 per cent in 2007.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 said it is necessary to carry out tasks for the declining of HIV infection, providing effective treatment to HIV patients, rendering assistance to HIV victims and their families and minimizing the ill effects of AIDS. In addition, the Secretary-1 urged all the people to harmoniously participate in combating AIDS and performing rehabilitation task.

The Secretary-1 awarded prizes to the students who stood first in Central Level essay, painting and cartoon contests to mark World AIDS Day 2007.

Chairperso

n Mr Daniel B Baker of UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS read the message of UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot.

The Secretary-1 awarded first prizes to Ma Htet Yi Zaw of Nay Pyi Taw Tatkon BEHS No 1 in the high school level essay contest to mark the World AIDS Day, Maung Wai Yan Min Htet of Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana BEHS No 1 in the middle school level painting contest and Ma Kyi Seinn Lan of Nay Pyi Taw Tatkon BEHS in the primary school level cartoon contest.

Commander Maj-Gen Wai Lwin gave second prizes to Ma May Phu Kyaw of Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana BEHS No 1 in the high school level essay contest, Ma Yadana Oo of Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana BEHS No 1 in the middle school level painting contest and Maung Lay Thwin of Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana BEHS No 1 in the primary school level cartoon contest.

Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint presented third prizes to Ma Ma Hnin Pwint Wai of Nay Pyi Taw Lewe BEHS No 1 in the high school level essay contest, Ma May Mie Khin of Nay Pyi Taw Tatkon BEHS No 1 in the middle school level painting contest and Maung Htet Pyae Zaw of Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana BEHS No 1 in the primary school level cartoon contest.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo and Chairperson Mr Daniel B Baker of UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS presented consolation prizes to respective winners.

http://www.myanmar.com/newspaper/nlm/index.html