HIV/AIDS Awareness: Discrimination Against People Living With HIV

10th Anniversary of Myanmar Interfaith Network on AIDS (MINA) was celebrated in Yangon on Monday.

At the event, members of MINA explained their work procedures as well as future plans and presented Certificates of Honor to donors.

The MINA was founded in 2009 for the purpose of discriminating against people living with HIV/AIDS with all interfaith groups in Myanmar.

Chairman, Myanmar Interfaith Network On AIDS (MINA), Aggavansa said “The MINA was organized in collaboration of all interfaith groups in Myanmar to eliminate discrimination on people living with HIV. I’d like to deliver a message to the people not to discriminate against people living with HIV/AIDS and participate in the activities of such organizations.”

The MINA mainly works on rising awareness of HIV/AIDS, celebrating Interfaith Festivals, fund raising, counseling and supporting AIDS orphans. MINA makes donations every year when the natural disasters happen in country.

General Secretary, Myanmar Interfaith Network on AIDS (MINA), Khawn Taung said “Our MINA has started in 2009 and this year is 10th edition. This organization is aimed to reduce discrimination on people living with HIV and to promote their living standard. MINA was also organized around the country including Kachin and Mon States within 10 years. The Government and NGOs support to us.”

According to the UNAIDS, there were 240,000 people living with HIV in Myanmar in 2018 and 7,800 people died from HIV/AIDS related diseases.