"The Irrawaddy spoke to Dr Myat Htoo Razak about the severity of the HIV/AIDS situation in Burma. He is a medical doctor and PhD from Burma who specializes in Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS and Health Policy and Planning. He currently works in HIV/AIDS research, prevention, care, and support programs in Asia through various international agencies and institutions... Question: How serious is the HIV/AIDS situation in Burma?Answer: As a health worker and a person from Burma, I would say the HIV/AIDS situation is one of the country?s most serious health and social challenges since the late 1980s. The focus has mainly been on how many are infected, as estimated numbers of people with HIV/AIDS in Burma vary. The UNAIDS 2002 report estimated from 180,000 to 420,000 cases, while another group of researchers estimated 687,000 cases. It doesn?t matter whether the number is one hundred or one million if little is being done to prevent more infections and to provide care and support to those who are already infected. We need to have good estimates for better planning but Burma needs to move forward with action now. I deeply hope that people in Burma will soon be able to respond effectively to this serious health, social and development challenge..."