Dr Waiyan Phyo is Pyi Gyi Khin ART Programme Officer attached to Mawlamyine NAP. Among his daily duties are clinical care, pre-ART and ART registration and reporting at the Mawlamyine NAP ART clinic.

Although he is kept busy, Dr Waiyan Phyo and the Mawlamyine ART team never neglect health education, which includes encouraging every patient who presents with symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) to get tested for HIV as well, as having an STI can increase a person's risk of HIV infection.

When Ko Hla (not his real name), a 30-year-old former private general practitioner’s (GP) assistant, came with STI symptoms and tested positive for syphilis, he was counselled to get tested for HIV as well. With his background and knowledge as an GP assistant, he immediately agreed.

As for every patient, Dr Waiyan Phyo and the Mawlamyine ART team encouraged Ko Hla to bring his partner along for STI/HIV screening too. “To disclose to a partner can be very sensitive and can bring up social problems. Ko Hla risks being accused of infidelity, and it can lead to emotional abuse, disruption of their relationship, and abandonment in the worse scenario,” says Dr Waiyan Phyo, explaining why expertise, experience, and tactful counselling are needed when dealing with sensitive issues.

In their counselling, Dr Waiyan Phyo and his team emphasized the importance of telling his partner about the STI – the concern for her health, encouraging her to seek STI testing and treatment to prevent reinfection, to promote HIV prevention behaviour, and the prospect of mutual emotional support.

It is Dr Waiyan Phyo and Mawlamyine ART team’s skilful use of counselling that led to a positive outcome. Ko Hla was able to put what he learned into practice, and gained acceptance and full support from his partner, whom he also brought for counselling and STI/HIV screening the next day.

His wife also tested positive for syphilis, for which both of them received treatment together, along with education and condoms to prevent reinfection. Luckily, both of them tested negative for HIV, and that has empowered them to make choices about HIV prevention, so they can protect themselves and their loved ones.

Both of the couple came for regular follow-up. Now they have completed their course of treatment and are well on the road to recovery in a stronger relationship than before, supporting each other emotionally. Thanks to Dr Waiyan Phyo and the Mawlamyine NAP team, Ko Hla and his wife now both know their HIV status as they plan their future as a healthy HIV-free family. Knowing your status is a fundamental component to achieving the global 90–90–90 targets towards ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Pyi Gyi Khin has been implementing its HIV project ‘Enhancing the quality of life of PLHIV through ART provision, psychosocial support, home-based care and increase access to prevention services among MSM/SW’ since 2011, with support from the Global Fund.