One wonders how much interraction has taken place between authors of these four papers on people living with HIV in Myanmar / Burma and how much contact there is between groups and networks …
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Promoting greater involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS (gipa) in myanmar
MOPDD01
Z.Z. Naing1, N.S. Wah2, T.M. Lwin1, D. Eh1, A.M. Thida11GIPA, Yangon, Myanmar, 2GIPA initiative group in Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
Issues: There are an estimated 339,000 to 832,000 PLHA in Myanmar. There are few projects addressing PLHA issues and PLHA involvement is low. A number of PLHA support groups have been formed but these are managed by international or local NGOs and networking among them is weak.
Description: A group of organizations formed an Advisory Committee to initiate a project to promote GIPA in early 2005. Nine PLHA were nominated to form a PLHA Committee to develop and manage the project. Training was provided to the PLHA Committee in understanding GIPA as well as in project design and proposal writing. The process also involved team building among the committee members. The project that was developed will start by building the understanding of the GIPA concept and advocating for PLHA involvement among various stakeholders, including PLHA, NGOs and religious leaders. The project will also aim to decrease stigma and discrimination, build capacity and networking of PLHA support groups.
Lessons learned: The process of developing this project was itself a key learning. Formation of the two committees and developing clear roles for each was important in establishing a structure to undertake activities. Training in understanding GIPA among the PLHA Committee was crucial prior to developing the project. Fostering a sense of community among PLHA to work jointly towards their interests and rights was also important and team building exercises contributed to this. Discussions on confidentiality and disclosure were important to establish a safe environment for participation.
Recommendations: - Ensure that PLHA understand the benefits of involvement for themselves, the organization and the community to foster commitment to the principle. - While promoting disclosure is important to ensure Greater involvement, this needs to be balanced with the personal needs of the individual. - Sharing experiences of PLHA networks in other countries provides inspiration in isolated countries like Myanmar.
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Civil society responses for care and support of PLHAs in Myanmar
CDD0778
S.B.B. Thu Zar WinInternational HIV/AIDS Alliance Myanmar, Programme, Yangon, Myanmar
Issues: In Myanmar, an increasing number of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) calls for a great need for PLHA care and support programs. Currently, very few NGOs/CBOs are working with PLHAs. Existing organizations have limited capacity.
Description: The International HIV/AIDS Alliance mobilizes and builds the capacity of local NGOs/CBOs including faith-based organizations to initiate care/support projects. It provides technical assistance to develop organizational capacity and technical areas of HIV/AIDS. PLHAs are also mobilized to form self-help groups and take a lead role. Alliance initially supports NGOs/CBOs/Self-Help Groups to conduct community assessments and design projects with the involvement of PLHAs. Financial support is then provided for implementation of projects. As a result, 9 NGOs/CBOs are implementing projects with the following activities: - establishing drop-in-centers to provide psychosocial support - organizing monthly PLHA gatherings during which they can share their experiences and learn more from the project. Resource persons are also invited to share new developments - undertaking home visits by project staff & peer PLHAs - providing medical care for opportunistic infections - forming self-help groups
Lessons learned: 1. Civil society is willing and has potential to play a role in the response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country. However, most of the organizations have limited capacity. 2. One of the key issues for new NGOs/CBOs working on care and support is establishing contact with PLHAs. 3. Having a favorable policy environment is key to effective implementation. Recommendations: 1. Capacity building for local NGOs/CBOs is crucial to further expanding their roles. Training should be provided for both organizational development and technical areas. Exchange visits and coordination meetings are also useful for them to learn and network with each other. 2. NGOs/CBOs need better understanding of how to address stigma/discrimination, disclosure and GIPA. 3. Policy advocacy is needed to promote a supportive environment for local organizations.
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Community participation to support PLWHAs in a developing country CDD0765
K.K. KyaingGolden Heart Health-Care Association (CBO), Technical Advisory Board, Yangon, Myanmar
Issues: People living with HIV/AIDS in Myanmar, like other developing countries, face with stigmatization, discrimination and isolation. They lost basic rights to get medical care, counselling and humanitarian support due to ignarance and poverty. Many PLWHAs died prematurely due to lack of proper care and support.
Description: Golden Heart Health-Care Association(GHHA), a community-based organization has been formed with volunteers and community leaders in Monywa Township since April 2002. Many mobile populations exist there because of gold mines and private petroleum (hand-dug)wells in middle Myanmar(Burma). About 700 members actively participate by putting pool money to run well their activities. They provide nutrition, financial and psychosocial support to patients those recommended by doctors of public hospital and private clinics. Some patients are PLWHAs having no proper care and support from their family and relatives. CBO members take care thoroughly by providing services including health education, counselling and home-based care.
Lessons learned: Intervention of GHHA is crucial in breaking down the barriers and forming the bridge between PLWHAs and local community. Attitudes and behaviour of PLWHAs, health oficials and community changed dramatically and positively during a couple of years. They participate well in funding, health education sessions, and could establish trust buildings. They got proper awareness on importance of HIV/AIDS prevention and care among PLWHAs and community. GHHA has gained more attention, better understanding and correct attitude. Health officials should advocate local authorities for getting moral support and needed endorsements.
Recommendations: PLWHAs have basic rights to get medicle treatment and support. By setting up AIDS support groups as community-based, it is a good example for civil societies to encourage Myanmar tradition of family values. We need to promote by funding and technical assisance to continue and expand their activities. It is important to uphold their motivation, enthusiasm and keen interest in HIV/AIDS intervention and care in sustainable manner
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Myanmar network of PLHA (MNP+): the time to rise above
CDD0668
R. Sein DweMyanmar Council of Churches, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care, Yangon, Myanmar
Issues: Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC) began HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Program (HAPCaP) in 1993. Today, MCC is working in nine project areas, mainly border areas inhabited by ethnic minorities: Kachin, Chin, Sagaing, Eastern Shan, Northern Shan, Southern Shan, Kayar, Kayin, and Yangon. The PLHA of HCPCaP have formed 30 self-help groups and set up local networks in each project area. These groups have made cross visitations to one another, exchanging their experience, their activities and their future plans. They come together in local forums held annually. PLHA networking in local areas are strong. Yet, they need to expand that in national level.
Description: Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and MCC, has launched a three-phase project funded by Pact Inc. The project “Myanmar Network of PLHA (MNP+)” aims for mobilizing local network into a national level institution. In first phase, the Executive Committee (EC) of MNP+ is formed with one PLHA from each local network, plus PLHA Network Coordinator and HAPCP Coordinator from MCC. These 11 EC members are being given capacity building training organized by MCC, NCA and Pact. MNP+ boasts an advisory board comprising former employees of MCC with great deal of resources. The EC members will be disseminating their knowledge and skills to the PLHA in their areas.
Lessons learned: The EC members of MNP+ are serving as "change agents", sharing and applying what they have gained from the training programs and mobilizing PLHA in their communities.
Recommendations: The platform from which PLHA can rise and raise their voice is best established by the PLHA themselves. The second phase is envisioned to focus on national level movements and networking with other faith-based organizations, and the third phase, will be devoted to establishing international network.
