2023-12-21 08:59:34
Thailand is making strides in the fight against AIDS, with potential to end the epidemic ahead of the 2030 target. In a recent workshop organized by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) and various civil society organizations, experts came together to discuss and create proposals aimed at driving the end of AIDS in the country.
The workshop, held on December 15, 2023, was attended by representatives from the Department of Disease Control, the Ministry of Public Health, academics, experts, and international organizations providing funding for AIDS-related initiatives. The objective of the workshop was to brainstorm ideas and create a proposal to end the AIDS problem in Thailand by 2030.
Deputy Secretary-General of the NHSO, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yupadee Sirisinsuk, emphasized the importance of the workshop in bringing together various agencies, civil society, and funding organizations to address the challenges of working in different fields. The collaborative effort aims to set guidelines for joint action and prepare proposals to drive the end of AIDS in Thailand.
According to Prof. Dr. Praphan Panupak, Senior Advisor on Research and Policy at the Institute for HIV Research and Innovation (IHRI), Thailand is well-prepared in both HIV/AIDS policy and service provision. The country offers comprehensive care, antiretroviral drugs, and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PreP) as part of its national health insurance system. However, obstacles such as stigma, discrimination, and limited access to testing and treatment must be addressed for a successful campaign against AIDS.
The workshop also highlighted the need to support civil society in working with target groups, eliminate obstacles to public sector participation in providing services, and improve distribution of HIV testing services, particularly at Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospitals. In addition, efforts are required to address limitations in the provision of antiretroviral drugs and inequalities in medical treatment rights.
Dr. Patipak Namahut, Director of the Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation Department at NHSO, pointed out the challenges in database management and the need for a National Information System to integrate information on HIV/AIDS. Additionally, improving the rate of people entering treatment, successfully suppressing the infection, and reaching individuals at risk of infection are crucial for ending AIDS in Thailand.
The workshop served as a platform for stakeholders to collaborate and develop strategies to overcome the obstacles in ending the AIDS problem in Thailand. With a concerted effort and innovative solutions, the country aims to achieve its goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
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