CNS: August 2021

Recent scientific advancements have brought to the fore the promise of more effective and long term solutions to help people living with HIV to thrive and not just survive. Today we have a buffet of HIV prevention options (such as, oral daily PrEP, once-a-month vaginal dapivirine ring for women, 2-monthly long-acting injectable) along with a bouquet of improved treatment modalities (monthly and 2-monthly long-acting injectables) adorning the HIV/AIDS arena, thanks to the untiring efforts of the scientific community. Many others are in the pipeline in different stages of research and development.

[watch CNS Viewpoint] If the goal is to protect environment from automobile pollution, improve road safety, and end economic disparities in the society, then vehicle scrappage policy is not likely to deliver on these tall promises. Rather such a policy could be counter-productive if we look closely at the aforementioned goals. Such a policy is another example of promoting market-based solutions to benefit few industries at the plight of the people and the planet. If governments are serious to deliver on the goals listed above, then the only way forward is to improve public transport to an extent that private ownership of motor vehicles, becomes unnecessary and cumbersome.

Dr Tin Maung Htwe, Editor-in-Chief, Health Digest Journal, Myanmar

There are two major groups of diseases in the world: (i) Communicable or infectious diseases and (ii) Non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Communicable diseases are caused by pathogenic or disease-causing microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, etc.) that infect the human body and make it sick- for example malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS (Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Some of them can spread from one infected human to another. On the other hand NCDs on the other hand are not caused by microbes and are not transmissible directly from one person to another.

Dr Tin Maung Htwe, Editor-in-Chief, Health Digest Journal, Myanmar

It is well known that the World Health Organization (WHO) is taking the lead in controlling the use of tobacco and tobacco products as they are harmful to the health, economy and social well-being of the people of the world. The WHO FCTC (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control) has established guidelines, protocols and strategies for member states to adhere to. One of the many follow-up guidelines is to end the illicit trade in tobacco and tobacco products.

Dr Tin Maung Htwe, Editor-in-Chief, Health Digest Journal, Myanmar

Asthma is one of the major global health problems, with Low and Low-Middle SDI (Socio-Economic and Demographic Index) countries being the most affected. We know that people who suffer from sudden shortness of breath due to their asthma have to urgently use an inhaler or even go to a hospital in case of severity of the attack.With asthma is affecting more and more children and adults today, experts categorise it as a public health problem.