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The first case of acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Thailand was reported in 1984. Subsequent outbreaks of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections occurred among intravenous or
injecting drug users and female commercial sex workers in the early
1990s. Later it was confirmed that HIV
had spread to the general population primarily through sexual transmission.
In response to the HIV/AIDS
epidemic, several interventions focusing on attacking all its modes of
transmission have been implemented. As a result, it has been observed that
HIV infection rates among most vulnerable and high-risk groups have declined
markedly during the past two decades. The number of new HIV infections each
year has dropped from more than 100,000 in the early 1990s to only around
10,000 in recent years. It has been
estimated that, as a result of the country’s effective responses to HIV/AIDS,
more than seven million infections have been averted.
However, because of the epidemics
which occurred during the past two decades, it is estimated that cumulatively
around one million Thais have been already infected by HIV and around half of
them have passed away. Based on the epidemiological situation, therefore,
Thailand has to tackle the epidemic with two fronts in its struggling to
further reduce the transmission of HIV as well as to provide treatment, care
and support for the people affected by HIV/AIDS.
The WHO Country Office for
Thailand is committed to providing technical assistance to state agencies,
civil society organizations, people affected by HIV/AIDS groups, and academic
institutions in facilitating their work on HIV/AIDS. During the past biennium
(2006–2007), WHO Thailand provided technical as well as financial assistance
and participated in the coordination efforts for 32 projects on all aspects
of HIV/AIDS prevention/control and treatment/care, including support for
program management, planning, monitoring and evaluation.
In the current biennium,
2008–2009, WHO Thailand consistently provides its commitment to assist the
National Program and partners to continue the implementation of their
HIV/AIDS activities. The ultimate
goals will be the universal access to the prevention of HIV, and to provide
treatment, care and support for those who are in need of such services.
Click here for The National
Plan for Strategic and Integrated HIV and AIDS Prevention and Alleviation
2007-2011: Key Contentsby The National Committee for HIV and
AIDS Prevention and Alleviation (November 2007).
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