Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Australia highlighted its support for a health programme in Rangoon with the visit of Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd on July 2. The clinic treat thousands of HIV and tuberculosis patients.
The clinic, run by Médecins Sans Frontières, provides free testing and treatment for HIV, TB and other infections, to the general population, according to an Australian government press release. The clinic that provides medical services to the 2,900 registered patients, the majority of whom receive anti-retroviral treatment for HIV.
With contributions from the multi-donor Three Diseases Fund, Médecins Sans Frontières is currently providing anti-retroviral treatment to more than 20,000 patients across Myanmar, of whom around 9,000 were supported through the Three Diseases Fund. The current estimation is that 100,000 to 120,000 people need ART treatment now.
Australia has contributed US$17 million to the Fund since 2006 and more than 1.4 million people in Burma have been treated for malaria.
In 2010, the Three Diseases Fund supported almost half of Burma’s anti-retroviral therapy and 127,000 TB patients were able to receive medicine and support.
In addition to health services, Australia also helps Burmese children in access better quality primary schools and pre-schools.
