Thai health ministry to distribute condoms in schools as youth HIV cases rise
Speaking during a House session chaired by First Vice President of the Senate, Gen Kriangkrai Srirak, Chaichana responded to questions from Senator Parinya Wongcherdkwan regarding Thailand's HIV prevention strategies and budget allocation.
Chaichana confirmed that whilst overall HIV figures have decreased, young people now represent a disproportionate share of new cases. The ministry will also collaborate with private companies in high-risk sectors and expand HIV testing facilities.
The ministry has set targets to limit new infections to no more than 1,000 cases annually and deaths to fewer than 4,000 per year. Chaichana noted that whilst cumulative figures show 8,000 additional cases, he expects the second-half yearly total to remain below 3,000 cases.
Provinces with the highest infection rates include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Ratchasima, areas with significant tourist populations.
The ministry spends 8.4 billion baht annually on HIV prevention and patient care, comprising 7.7 billion baht in domestic funding and 788 million baht in international support. Treatment medications account for 6.2 billion baht whilst prevention programmes receive 1.2 billion baht.
Of approximately 500,000 people receiving treatment, over 5,700 are foreign nationals. Treatment costs average 12,000 baht per person annually.
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Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Bangkok Post
HIV rate surge spurs ministry to act
A rise in HIV infections among youths has prompted the Public Health Ministry to act with a plan afoot for condom distribution and education in schools. The ministry has acknowledged an alarming rise in HIV infections among Thai youths. Deputy Public Health Minister Chaichana Dechdecho announced plans to sign memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with educational institutions to distribute condoms and provide sexual health education to help curb the trend and prevent further infections. The issue was raised during a Senate session in parliament yesterday, presided over by Deputy Senate Speaker Gen Kriengkrai Srirak. Senator Parinya Wongcheodkwan questioned the rising HIV infection rate in Thailand and the ministry's long-term strategy, budget allocation, and spending on both prevention campaigns and treatment for people living with HIV, including the costs related to foreign nationals receiving care. In response, Mr Chaichana confirmed that although the overall HIV infection rate is declining, there has been a noticeable increase among youths. To address this, the ministry is preparing to collaborate with schools and universities through MoUs. The initiative will involve distributing condoms and offering education on safe sexual practices to prevent HIV transmission. "We aim to keep new infections below 1,000 cases annually and limit HIV-related deaths to under 4,000 per year. "The reported figure of 8,000 new cases we see includes cumulative data. We expect the number of new infections in the latter half of the year to stay under 3,000," Mr Chaichana stated. He added that the ministry will increase access to HIV testing and form partnerships with private sector companies in high-risk areas. Provinces with rising HIV cases include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Ratchasima -- all of which experience significant tourist activity, he added. Regarding the budget, Mr Chaichana explained that Thailand allocates approximately 8.4 billion baht annually for HIV prevention and treatment. Of this, 7.7 billion baht comes from domestic funding, while 788 million baht is supported by international contributions. The funding includes 6.2 billion baht for antiretroviral drugs and 1.2 billion baht for prevention efforts. Out of the 500,000 people currently receiving treatment, over 5,700 are foreign nationals. The average annual treatment cost is 12,000 baht.
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Thai health ministry to distribute condoms in schools as youth HIV cases rise
Deputy Minister of Public Health Chaichana Dechdecho on Monday acknowledged rising HIV infection rates among young people and announced plans to sign memorandums of understanding with educational institutions to distribute condoms and provide sexual health education. Speaking during a House session chaired by First Vice President of the Senate, Gen Kriangkrai Srirak, Chaichana responded to questions from Senator Parinya Wongcherdkwan regarding Thailand's HIV prevention strategies and budget allocation. Chaichana confirmed that whilst overall HIV figures have decreased, young people now represent a disproportionate share of new cases. The ministry will also collaborate with private companies in high-risk sectors and expand HIV testing facilities. The ministry has set targets to limit new infections to no more than 1,000 cases annually and deaths to fewer than 4,000 per year. Chaichana noted that whilst cumulative figures show 8,000 additional cases, he expects the second-half yearly total to remain below 3,000 cases. Provinces with the highest infection rates include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Ratchasima, areas with significant tourist populations. The ministry spends 8.4 billion baht annually on HIV prevention and patient care, comprising 7.7 billion baht in domestic funding and 788 million baht in international support. Treatment medications account for 6.2 billion baht whilst prevention programmes receive 1.2 billion baht. Of approximately 500,000 people receiving treatment, over 5,700 are foreign nationals. Treatment costs average 12,000 baht per person annually.
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Calls to improve treatment and access for people living with HIV
The Thai Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (TNP+) has called on Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin to improve the universal coverage scheme, otherwise known as the gold card scheme, to ensure broader access to healthcare for people with HIV/Aids. Apiwat Kwangkaew, vice president of the TNP+, on Saturday said the proposal was made at the annual national health security meeting held by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) on June 30. Mr Somsak is also chair of the NHSO board. The aim is to improve the gold card scheme in three key areas including allowing those younger than 18 to receive treatment for Hepatitis C. For Hepatitis B, although treatment is covered, access to testing and medication remains limited, as the costs are included in the capitation budget -- a fixed amount of money paid regardless of the number of services provided. They also urged inclusion of the Hepatitis B vaccine for those with lower immune defences for early prevention, and proposed the expansion of cervical cancer screening for high-risk groups. That would include those with HIV, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and immunocompromised people and begin at the age of 25, with screening every three years. Expansion of the "One ID Card, Treatment Anywhere" policy to include antiretroviral (ARV) services, and cooperation with state enterprise employers to solve reimbursement delays are also planned. Also, the network called for nationwide anti-discrimination policies for people with HIV/Aids and urged the NHSO to coordinate with Disease Control Department, Thai AIDS Society and other networks to ensure efficient communications. The network also proposed a more proactive approach to healthcare in Bangkok such as allowing pharmacies to provide medications for those with non-communicable diseases and ensuring wider access for the "One ID Card, Treatment Anywhere" policy.
