Can a song save a life? Popstars Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein and Ar-T in Myanmar hope so—and have recently joined forces with ICAP to release a new single, I Will Move On, to do just that.  

In collaboration with the National AIDS Program of Myanmar, ICAP has partnered with the two musicians to increase awareness about the relationship between viral suppression and the prevention of sexual transmission of HIV through the exciting multimedia project. The message of their song is simple: Undetectable = Untransmittable, or U=U.  

“When an HIV positive person can suppress and maintain their viral load at a point where it is no longer detectable, the person cannot transmit HIV sexually anymore,” explained pop star Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein. “This song was created to convey this key message: taking antiretroviral (ART) treatment consistently as prescribed by the doctor can help one achieve undetectable viral load and that is safe for both the person and their partners.”  

For people living with HIV, the song serves as a reminder that if they are consistent with their treatment, they can have long, healthy lives–and can prevent transmission to their intimate partners, too.  

Ar-T, who recorded the duet with Phyu Phyu earlier this year, believes in the power of the song’s message to reach young people in Myanmar and has called on his followers to spread the U=U message too: “We would like this song to go viral…When [it] comes out, I would like all of you to share it more than you do to our typical love songs and songs about partying!” The music video for the song is available on the campaign’s Facebook page.  

The song’s launch and accompanying promotional activities join in the global “Undetectable = Untransmittable” (“U=U”) campaign, an informational campaign about how effective HIV medications are at preventing sexual transmission of HIV spearheaded by the Prevention Access Campaign since 2016. The campaign is funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), through the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

As a nation, Myanmar is one of 35 countries that account for 90 percent of new HIV infections globally. With around 30 new infections per day, the HIV epidemic there heavily affects people who inject drugs, female sex workers, men who have sex with men, as well as the intimate partners of these groups. Additionally, a considerable proportion of people living with HIV in Myanmar do not know their HIV status, while stigma and discrimination present substantial barriers to HIV testing, treatment, and care services. Indeed, almost one in four people living with HIV are still not receiving lifesaving treatment.  

Ensuring people living with HIV in Myanmar receive appropriate care and treatment services is critical in epidemic and prevention control. Since 2014, ICAP has supported the Government of Myanmar by providing technical assistance and implementation support at all levels of Myanmar’s health care system to facilitate the scale-up of HIV services. Currently, ICAP works with the Ministry of Health and Sports and the National AIDS Program to improve the quality of national HIV prevention, testing, care, and treatment programming across Myanmar. Additionally, ICAP provides technical assistance in HIV-related laboratory quality management and services, as well as capacity building efforts among health care workers.

“We are excited to bring the power of music to support ICAP’s efforts to tell people across Myanmar that an HIV diagnosis is not a death sentence anymore. With proper treatment, you can live a long and happy life,” said Khin Nyein Chan, MD, MSc, ICAP’s country director in Myanmar. “Together with Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein and Ar-T, we encourage everyone to get tested for HIV and to start treatment as early as possible.”  

Learn more on the campaign’s Facebook page 

A global health leader since 2003, ICAP was founded at Columbia University in New York with one overarching goal: to improve the health of families and communities. Together with its partners—ministries of health, large multilaterals, health care providers, and patients—ICAP strives for a world where health is available to all. To date, ICAP has addressed major public health challenges and the needs of local health systems through 6,000 sites across more than 30 countries.