Venerable monk donates land for HIV/AIDS centre

Published on Wednesday, 30 January 2013 16:25

A new centre for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS will open in Yangon Region’s west district later this year on land donated by social-activist monk Venerable Sayadaw Ashin Zawana, health workers say.

The centre will be located in Dagon Township’s eastern division and will be larger than the two existing centres, in the region’s north and south districts, which face constraints in terms of space and services available, according to an official at the centers. The centres are operated by a nine-member youth group that includes MP Phyu Phyu Thin, who represents Yangon’s Mingalar Taung Nyunt constituency.

The two centres have treated an estimated 50,000 patients since they opened in 2004. Many of the patients travel from distant states and regions for treatment, including Kachin, Shan and Chin states, and Bago and Mandalay regions.

The number of outpatients at the two centres has risen about fourfold over the past three years, from 80 a day each in 2010 to 300 a day now, said Nandar Lin, an assistant of the MP.

The new centre will be able to treat more than 300 patients a day, she said.