With Burnet Institute support the Myanmar Red Cross Society conducted a needs assessment by situational analysis of issues related to HIV, response review and capacity assessment of MRCS in 2004. According to the findings a need was found concerning the care and support of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and development of local community support for HIV positive persons. Following the assessment MRCS reached a partnership agreement with the Burnet Institute to undertake a community based HIV care and support pilot project in Thaton, Mon State, activities completed in collaboration with local Department of Health services and networking with interested local organizations. MRCS launched the project with technical support from the Burnet Institute in July 2005 and have since implemented comprehensive activities to address the needs of PLHIV.

Components and Activities

General Objective
MRCS contributes to reduce HIV vulnerability and its impact upon the Myanmar community.

Specific Objective
- To improve access to treatment for opportunistic infection and care for PLHIV
- To improve knowledge and attitude on HIV/AIDS among general population for decuvtionof stigma and discrimination towards PLHIV
- To develop enabling environment for people living with HIV/AIDS
- To improve the capacity of project staff and volunteers for delivering care and support activities in community

Activities
- Provision of nutrition support to PLHIV
- Provision of home based care (including health education, counseling and home care)
- Provision of regular follow-up medical treatment support to PLHIVs (for OI only)
- Provision of HIV blood test service (including pre and post test counseling)
- Provision of funeral arrangement and support to PLHIV
- Conduct outreach health education session
- Organize and facilitate PLHIV self-help group gathering meeting
- Organizes and provide technical support to community HIV support group
- Encourage PLHIV involvement in Home-based care program
- Provision of psychosocial support to OVC(Orphan and Vulnerable Children)

Target beneficiaries
- People living with HIV and AIDS and their family members
- General Population

Timeline
March 2005 – 2009

Project Site
Thaton, Mon State

Partners
Funding – Burnet Institute (AUSAID), UNAIDS (FHAM)
IFRC (May – Oct 2005)

Collaborative – DoH, Marie Stopes International, Myanmar Nurses Association, Care Myanmar, Save the Children