New report says 85,000 in Myanmar desperate for HIV treatment, funding cuts increase need

By Associated Press, Updated: Wednesday, February 22, 3:07 PM                                 

BANGKOK — A new report says some 85,000 HIV-infected people in Myanmar are not getting treatment due to a lack of funding, despite renewed international engagement with the government amid a wave of political reform.


The Doctors Without Borders report also says the number of cases of tuberculosis — a major killer of HIV patients — in Myanmar is nearly triple the global rate, as dangerous drug-resistant forms of the disease surge.

The report, released Wednesday, warns that the situation could become much worse due to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria’s cancellation of funding that was due for release this year. It was expected to provide HIV drugs for 46,500 people in Myanmar, and drug-resistant TB treatment for 10,000 others.

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