17 June 2011 - CARE Myanmar started the “HIV Prevention and Harm Reduction Project” in Sagaing, Mandalay and Shan in 2003, and now supported with the help of Three Diseases Fund. The project’s key activities include harm reduction interventions to drug users, their sexual partners and families. This also allows access to quality treatment, care and support services, while conducting awareness raising programmes with the police and community.

9 May 2011 - On March 8th the 3DF Communications Unit hosted a tea party gathering at the Inya Lake Hotel for communication experts of the implementing partners. 25 people from 16 IPs attended, sharing information about their communications activities, developments in health reporting and strengthening communication links between all parties. “In this final year of the Fund, communicating significant achievements and key results is very important to us. We would like to hear a variety of voices of the people whose lives have been improved with the help of 3DF,” said Moe Moe Oo, 3DF’s Communications Assistant.

Fund Board members hear local opinions in Kachin State ©3DF

1 April 2011 - Three Diseases Fund Board personnel travelled in two groups to northern Burma/Myanmar to observe progress and gain feedback of implementing partner projects from 6–10 March, during the annual 3DF Fund Board Field Trip. The first party visited Myitkyina and Bhamo in the Kachin State, visiting HIV/AIDS and integrated projects implemented by eight partners. They also visited township hospitals in Bhamo and Mansi. The second party travelled to the Rakhine State, visiting eight programme locations and three hospitals in Sittwe, Kyauktaw and Mrauk U districts. Both teams were accompanied by senior staff from the Fund Manager’s Office and the Department of Health.

Delegation members at Mandalay General Hospital          ©3DF

18 March 2011 - “It was clear to see that the clinic is responding well to an important need,” said Michael Wilson, the Australian Chair of the Three Diseases Fund (3DF) Donor Consortium, during a recent visit to the National Programme and the Union ART provision site in Mandalay. “We saw that the facility is much needed, well viewed and the money is well spent.”

The National Programme and the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (the Union) have been working together within Mandalay General Hospital since 2005, implementing the Union’s Integrated Health Project. During their visit, Australian Government delegates saw the Union staff cooperating with government doctors on referral and care services. Members of the delegation commented on the welcoming atmosphere, well managed procedures, importance given to privacy and the quality of technical information.