Minimal Requirements for an Effective Antiretroviral Treatment in Burma

The mix of high level of poverty, low awareness, poor health care, low political involvement, and total lack of governmental funds dedicated to this infection led the few skills to collaborate closely to set up a comprehensive programme aimed at fighting HIV/AIDS in this country prevented from accessing to most of international supports because of the political sanctions. The french government signed an agreement in 1996 with the Burma's medical school to traine MDs in France for HIV/AIDS. 6 out of them have already been trained. The french oil company Total joined this programme in 2004 to provide medical scholarships. The 7th MD that the Total company has supported is the first Burma's peadiatrician trained especially for HIV/AIDS in children in Paris. After their return, these medical leaders have been posted in the 2 referral HIV/AIDS departments implemented in the 2 main cities (yangon and Mandalay) with the tecbnical support of WHO.