Volunteer health workers go extra mile to tackle HIV in Burma

Government health spending in Burma is among the lowest in the world – less than $5 dollars per person – which is why the Anglican Church of Burma’s intervention is essential.

To date, the church has recruited hundreds of volunteer health workers who receive basic medical training before being sent out to remote rural communities.

These health workers are so dedicated that they are prepared to buy medicines with their own money in the hope that their patients will be able to pay for their treatment.

The Anglican mission and development agency USPG is helping to support these health workers – and you can help through USPG’s alternative Christmas gift scheme: Life-giving Gifts [www.lifegivinggifts.org].

HIV is one of the biggest challenges facing the health workers.

In a country where official statistics are difficult to obtain, the exact extent of HIV is unknown. And the subject is taboo, so it can be difficult for the health workers to deal with. Indeed, providing education to challenge the stigma surrounding HIV is one of the goals of the health workers.

In a country where official statistics are difficult to obtain, the exact extent of HIV is unknown. Also, because the subject is taboo it can be difficult for the health workers to talk about openly.

In the Anglican Diocese of Sittwe, one health worker described how she persuaded a mother-of-five to have an HIV test – no small feat as the mother had to make a journey of several miles to the nearest hospital. She was found to be HIV-positive and is now on antiretroviral drugs to help combat the disease.

The health worker discovered that HIV was being brought into rural communities by menfolk who had been working in the north in jade mines where sex workers ply their trade.

Another concern of the health workers is the existence in every community of bogus doctors (known as ‘yanku’ doctors). The government has conducted campaigns against these doctors, and communities have complained about ineffective expensive cures and bad advice.

Raising awareness, tackling the stigma that surrounds HIV and general education in health are all key tasks of the health workers.

This work is going on throughout Myanmar. USPG’s Anthony Mckernan met the health co-ordinator for Yangon Diocese.

He said: "She was impeccably organised. She talked me through a range of charts that illustrated the range of care being offered to people affected by HIV/AIDS, including home visits, antiretroviral treatment and palliative care. All of this work is supported by USPG.

"The church the only organisation providing healthcare in many parts of the country. Mobilising volunteers to minister the love of God through health initiatives is a primary activity in many parishes. It was really inspiring to observe."

• You can support AIDS work in Myanmar – and many other development initiatives set up by Anglican Churches around the world – through USPG’s alternative Life-giving Gifts scheme.