The Ministry of Health and Sports of Myanmar launched the country’s latest five-year HIV plan on 17 May. The plan provides a road map on how to Fast-Track the national HIV response and end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.
Myanmar is one of the 35 countries accounting for 90% of new HIV infections globally. The new plan adapts global Fast-Track Targets to the local context to ensure an effective, cost-effective and high-impact HIV response. Locations are prioritized based on their HIV epidemic and risk of new HIV infections and service delivery approaches are tailored to reach priority populations and speed up access to services.
The ambitious plan aims to ensure the 90–90–90 targets—whereby 90% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, 90% of people who know their HIV-positive status are accessing treatment and 90% of people on treatment have suppressed viral loads—are met by 2020. The plan also aims to ensure that 90% of key populations access HIV prevention services and that 90% of people living with and affected by HIV report zero discrimination, especially in health, education and workplace settings.
During the launch, the Union Minister of the Ministry of Health and Sports, Myint Htwe, stressed the importance of translating the plan’s strategies into action.
“All of us sitting in this room, together with Ministry of Health officials, should do our level best, within the capacity and capability that we have. I will also render all out support in running this programme successfully during my tenure as the Minister of Health.”
Myint Htwe Union Minister of the Ministry of Health and Sports, Myanmar
“Over the past years, we have seen tremendous progress in Myanmar’s national HIV response owing to the combination of focused efforts in prevention and treatment services. This new strategic plan will help propel the country faster towards its Fast-Track Targets.”
Eamonn Murphy UNAIDS Country Director, Myanmar
