I would like to express how much I enjoyed being the participant for the said workshop. Most of the trainers and facilitators are standout because of their sheer dedication to the participants. Especially when the visits were made to the relevant settings such as educational facilities, hospitals, and community programs under the auspices of the ministries of Health, Education and Welfare as well as NGOs. Moreover, I will never forget all the sightseeing activities included in the training/workshop package. I especially loved how it always related the training programs to real–life examples and study tours. It made me so much easier to recall the memory.
After the workshop in Haifa, I am further convinced that my background and skills coincide with the MASHAV needs. Currently, I am working as the focal person for care and support in National AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health. Accordingly, I had a valuable chance and experiences in the planning, organizing, directing and coordinating in HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities in Myanmar. In addition to my existing knowledge and background, this training program was a good chance to widen my view beyond the national and regional HIV.AIDS prevention and control activities. However, the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV is one of the problems that are deepest rooted and hardest to combat in the long history of mankind’s experiences in battle against communicable diseases.
I really appreciated that the MASHAV took so much time to acquaint us with the Israeli culture and history. I felt I could learn a great deal from people of Israel and was certainly enjoy there. It is no wonder that Israeli people’s quick, military victory stimulated a series of highly visible actions aimed at redeeming the land. We fully understand the recent act of “Operation Protective Edge” in Gaza strip. At the same time, it should be also counted upon the humanitarian affairs; the life of civilians and the effects on public health situation.
Finally, I would like to conclude that I was very much impressed with the spirit and capacity of Israeli people. I always keep in mind the words our colleagues in Israel saying “We are in the middle of no way apart from fighting to save our land and our people!”
All the best
Sincerely yours
Dr. Htun Nyunt Oo
The above article and photos are shared by Dr. Htun Nyunt Oo, Assistant Director (Care and Support), National AIDS Program, Department of Health, Ministry of Health, Myanmar.
As the Assistant Director (Care & Support) , his responsibility involves the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities including advocacy, awareness raising, prevention of sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS, prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), provision of safe blood supply, provision of care and support for PLHIV, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities in Myanmar.
He was in Haifa, Israel during the Workshop on "Psycho-Social Care and Support for Children and Adolescents Infected and/or Affected by HIV & AIDS" from 29 April-16 May, 2014 .We like to express our sincere thanks to him for sharing his memories from Israel. Thanks so much Dr. Htun Nyunt Oo.