Prevention Cheaper than Treatment
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Abstract
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| An estimated 11,753 Thais are expected to acquire HIV in 2009, a figure that AIDS advocates say suggests the government lacks a focus on HIV prevention.
This year, Thailand’s government has spent about 2.7 billion baht (US $81 million) on antiretroviral therapy for more than 200,000 Thai patients. It has earmarked only 50 million baht (US $1.5 million) to prevent new HIV infections.
The effect of that disparate emphasis is evident when youths ages 15-24 are contracting HIV, said Supattra Nakapiew, president of the non-governmental Coalition on AIDS. The National Health Security Office approved 500 million baht (US $15 million) for its AIDS prevention subcommittee, but Supattra said she has yet to see evidence it is working.
Thais with HIV/AIDS do not have access to information and counseling, said AIDS Action Foundation Director Nimid Tien-udom, who proposed government-supported hotlines as one tactic.
To reduce new infections among drug users, the government should take a comprehensive approach to interventions, including free condoms, counseling, methadone maintenance therapy, and needle exchange, Supattra said. To date, few hospitals have a methadone program, though the treatment is covered under the universal health care program, she said.
Marking World AIDS Day, the Health Ministry announced it will distribute 30 million condoms to at-risk populations, including homemakers, men who have sex with men, teenagers, laborers, and sex workers. The ministry also is promoting HIV prevention efforts in schools, though Supattra contends teachers are often too embarrassed to discuss ways to prevent HIV.
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Subjects
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Asia
Funding Issues
HIV/AIDS Prevention
HIV/AIDS Treatment or Therapies
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cdcnpin.org News Record #54373
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