Thailand intends to stem the HIV/AIDS epidemic and reduce discrimination against people living with the virus by 2030 by continuing to implement a long-term plan guided by three goals: to reduce infections, deaths and discrimination.
December 1 was designated World AIDS Day by the World Health Organization in 1988 to raise awareness of the pandemic and mourn the lives lost to it. Since then, it has become a day when governments and UN agencies, as well as NGOs, make announcements.
Trisulee Trisaranakul, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, quoted Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as saying that Thailand has been working towards achieving the three goals since 2017. In addition, the country has set itself three goals to 2030: fewer than 1,000 new HIV infections per year, fewer than 4,000 AIDS-related deaths per year, and reduced discrimination against people living with the virus.
Traisulee said six long-term strategies have been implemented to fight HIV/AIDS in Thailand. It’s about :
– Provide effective health care to high-risk communities,
– Improve prevention campaigns,
– Improve the treatment and social support of people living with the virus,
– Improve public understanding of AIDS and its treatment in order to minimize discrimination against people living with the virus,
– Invest in disease prevention and management at regional and provincial levels, and promote effective access to HIV/AIDS data and research.
Mr. Traisulee added that a UNAids meeting will be held in Thailand from December 13-16. The UN agency’s coordination board will hold its 51st meeting in Chiang Mai. Representatives of 22 governments as well as non-governmental organizations and other groups are expected to attend.