12 June 2012 — Following escalating violence in Rakhine state, Myanmar, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has temporarily suspended activities and reduced staff. This means the disruption of lifesaving basic healthcare, including the provision of urgent antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to HIV-positive patients. MSF is concerned about the safety of all its patients and staff, and hopes to resume medical activities as soon as possible in order to avoid lives being lost. 

MSF has worked in Rakhine state since 1992. Its medical activities focus on basic healthcare, with a specific emphasis on reproductive health, malaria, HIV and tuberculosis. In 2011, MSF conducted more than 487,000 consultations. Of these, close to 75,000 were for malaria treatment, and 24,000 were related to maternal health. MSF also provided lifesaving ARV treatment to over 600 patients.