YANGON, Dec 1, 2006 (AFP) - Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy party threw a feast for people with HIV to mark World AIDS Day on Friday, while urging the military government to do more to ease their suffering.
Myanmar has one of the worst AIDS epidemics in Asia, exacerbated by the nation's crumbling health care system. Officially some 339,000 people have HIV, but experts say the actual number could be twice that with roughly two percent of adults infected.
Phyu Phyu Tin, who works with the National League for Democracy's HIV outreach, said the party wanted to hold an event that would bring people together and help them support each other.
"We want them to get together in one place, so they can see and understand each other. I am also glad to see them all," Phyu Phyu Tin told AFP.
About 100 people attended the party with food and gifts and raffles at the NLD's rundown headquarters in Yangon.
Aung San Suu Kyi is currently under house arrest, as she has been for most of the last 17 years. The NLD won elections in 1990, but has never been allowed to govern.
"If Aunty Suu were here, we would be able to have more activities," Phyu Phyu Tin said.
She said Myanmar's HIV epidemic appears to be worsening, as more people have contacted the party as well as hospital and clinics to seek help.
"The HIV sufferers face many difficulties these days. I would like to ask the whole society, including the authorities, to give their warmest assistance," she said.
Khan Mayo Win, 27, who came to NLD headquarters two weeks ago from central Myanmar to seek help, said she has not received any drugs since she was diagnosed with HIV one year ago.
"I will continue looking for medical treatment. I have no idea how to find it. But today I'm happy to attend this gathering," she whispered.
The UN-created Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria pulled out of Myanmar last year claiming interference from the junta hampered its work.
A new 100-million-dollar program called the Three Diseases Fund officially began working in October to try to pick up where the Global Fund left off.
The so-called 3D fund -- financed by Britain, Australia, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the European Commission -- hopes to bring aid to the country's 50 million people without any money being funnelled to the repressive government.
In desperation for help, many people with AIDS here turn to traditional healers for herbal treatments since life-prolonging drugs are generally unavailable.
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