CNN examines HIV clinic in Myanmar

Dec 21 2011

CNN examines an HIV clinic in Myanmar, where the disease "is little understood" and "many of the patients here have nowhere else to go after being ostracized by their families." The clinic -- "started by pro-democracy leader Aung San Syi Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy," and run "on donations from private enterprises, individuals and AZG, the Dutch arm of Doctors Without Borders" -- is one of two in the country, which has one of the lowest per capita spending rates on health, just $23, in the world, according to the WHO, CNN reports. "Only recently have authorities in Myanmar admitted to an HIV/AIDS problem in the country," and "officials from the newly installed civilian government [have] agreed on a five-year plan to reduce stigma and spread of the disease," the news service writes (Hancocks, 12/18).