Published December 7, 2005

For the first time the Burmese military authorities have showed concern over increasing HIV infection. It held a meeting in Three Pagoda Pass yesterday to assess HIV infection in the town. The doctor in-charge revealed that only 30 percent of the people used condoms.

While this is the first occasion that the Burmese authorities have evinced interest in finding out about increasing HIV infection in the area their Thai counterparts are doing whatever they can to prevent spread of HIV.

Dr.Soe Win, in charge of the Health Department in Three Pagoda said at the meeting, “We have to check HIV cases here because HIV infection is spreading.”

Burma has not bothered to list HIV patients. More than 30 patients from here have asked for help from Thai NGOs, Pattanarak Foundation. The Foundation has launched a strong campaign for prevention of HIV.

“HIV patients do not admit to being infected due to fear of bring ostracised by society. Therefore it is difficult to prevent spread of HIV infection,” Dr. Soe Win said during his speech.

The Burmese military government has failed to set up safe houses for HIV patients. But some safe houses have been opened in the Thai side for HIV patients.

“Some patients are helpless. They have no relatives. Even if they do have relatives they do not care. Some were sent to us,” said Naw Paw Lu Lu who has six HIV patients from the Three Pagoda Pass area in her safe house.

Naw Paw Lu Lu’s safe house was started in 1993 for helping Burmese migrant workers who were sick and helpless. It was set up in the Thai side, in Sangkhalaburi district near the Thai-Burma border. It is located about 20 kilometres south of Three Pagoda Pass.

According to a community leader, the authorities had done precious little to prevent spread of HIV. There was no strong policy decision on this and neither was there an awareness programme.

There are about 70 sex workers working in brothels and no one is listed. Again it is easy to access Amphetamine in Three Pagoda Pass.