Thailand is known for its success in fighting HIV/AIDS, one
of a very few countries in the world that has managed to reverse
the spread of the epidemic. However, the challenge now is
to ensure that this success does not lead to complacency and
inaction. The prevalence of the disease is still relatively
high, affecting many lives, and Thailand is still vulnerable
to a resurgence of a generalized epidemic. If Thailand falters
in its effort to control the disease, the impact would be
far-reaching, dealing a major blow to the global response
to HIV/AIDS, to UNAIDS, and to the many countries of the world
struggling to follow Thailand’s example, bringing into
question the effectiveness of the prevention-based paradigm.
Achievements
Thailand has achieved a stunning 83 per cent reduction in
new infections, dropping from the 1991 peak of 142,819 new
infections per year to an estimated 21,260 in 2003.
An early multi-sector response involving several key ministries,
municipalities, NGOs, media, communities, private sector, and
the police, focused largely on risk reduction in commercial
sex, has enabled Thailand to achieve this turn-around in HIV
infections.
Strong political commitment in the early 1990s and the formation
of the National AIDS Prevention and Control Committee under
the Office of the Prime Minister and PM’s own chairing
of NAPCC (National AIDS prevention and Control Committee) ensuring
participation of all ministry supported by a comprehensive multi-ministerial
plan by the NESDB (National Economic and Social Development
Board)
Financing for HIV/AIDS reaching 89.85 million US dollar in
1996 (per capita investment of 1.32 USD) of which 91.2% came
from Royal Thai Government (RTG).
Overall, three factors contributed to reducing sexual transmission
of the HIV virus: reducing brothel visits, condom compliance,
and improved STI control through the introduction of powerful
antibiotics, thereby reducing risk of HIV infection.
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in Thailand.
12th Floor, United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200, Thailand.
Tel.(662)228-1203, Fax(662)208-1414
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