Narinjara News, 9 January 2025

The Arakan People's Government (APG) has distributed free HIV and tuberculosis medicines worth over Kyats 400 million in 16 townships under the control of Arakan Army (AA) fighters.

According to the Arakan Princess Media, the distribution included antiretroviral therapy (ART,  worth Kyats 409,032,000) for HIV infected people and tuberculosis medicines (TB, worth Kyats 45,453,720).

The medicines were provided on 6  January for the first time under the leadership of the public health department under the APG, which is mentored by the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA).

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The free medicines were distributed to the beneficiaries in most of the townships including Kyaukphyu and Paletwa, but excluding Sittwe and Manaung townships.

The assistance includes Kyats 100,000 for one month's medical expenses needed by the HIV patients  and Kyats 450,000 for six months needed by the TB patients.

The health organizations in 2023 estimated that there are over 2,500 people living with HIV/AIDS and around 40,000 TB patients in Arakan State.

Caption: ULA/AA providing healthcare assistance to the people of Arakan State in 2024, photo by APM