The cumulative results for 2018 are shown as a percentage of the annual target. The indicators on sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs reached, along with HIV counselling and testing and TB status assessed, are funded by GFATM only, whereas the others are funded by GFATM and other donors.
There has been significant progress in implementation of the HIV grant, with 12 out of 18 reportable indicators either meeting or exceeding 100 per cent of the annual target by the end of 2018.
By the end of 2018, 131,189 people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) (114% of the planned target for the year). Initiation of ART for all people living with HIV has been accelerated through ART scale-up in the public sector, with an increase in the number of ART sites to 124 and decentralized sites to 173.
Increased community involvement has improved collaboration with the public sector and facilitated ART transition in terms of ART adherence and retention in care.
In 2018, 917,885 (101% of target) pregnant women received HIV counselling and testing and knew their test results, and 91 per cent (100% of target) of HIV-positive pregnant women received antiretroviral drugs to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) provided as part of a package of antenatal care services offered to all pregnant women at public health facilities in Myanmar.
In 2018, 15,430 (120% of target) men who have sex with men (MSM), 22,113 (106%) female sex workers (FSW) and 15,830 (78%) people who inject drugs (PWID) were reached with HIV prevention services.
Drop-in centres for key affected populations have provided 'friendly spaces' where MSM and sex workers can discuss their personal issues, share experiences and access services, which include counselling, information on sexually transmitted infections, promoting voluntary HIV counselling and testing (HTC) and care for minor illnesses. Male and female condoms and lubricants were also provided free-of-charge.
In total, 16,139 (106%) FSW and 12,168 (116%) MSM underwent voluntary HIV testing and received their test results and post-test counselling. During the year, 18,279 (100%) PWID consented to HIV testing and received their test results.
At the end of 2018, 15,994 (99%) PWID had been enrolled into methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) in 55 MMT sites across the nation, and 68 per cent (91% of target) of persons who enrolled in MMT continued the treatment for at least six months.
Moreover, the MMT programme has introduced additional integrated services for PWID under one roof, adopting a one-stop-shop model at 11 MMT sites.
The services provided under the one-stop-shop model include MMT; HTC; ART; targeted information, education and communication and condom programming for PWID and their sexual partners; testing and vaccination for hepatitis B; prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis; testing for hepatitis C; and diagnosis and management of sexually transmitted infections.
In terms of needle and syringe distribution to PWID, the equivalent of 399 (114% of target) needles and syringes per person were distributed in 2018.
In 2018, 38,382 (116% of target) of other vulnerable populations (OVP) consented to HIV testing and received their test results and post-test counselling.
During the year, 13 per cent (26% of target) of new HIV-positive patients started isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT).
Some 66 per cent (83% of target) of people living with HIV who had TB coinfection had been enrolled on ART by the end of the year.
During the year, 97 per cent (102%) of HIV patients were screened for TB in their last visit, and 92 per cent (101% of target) of TB patients had their HIV status assessed and documented. An increased collaboration with partners has supported the expansion of TB/HIV activities in public health facilities.
