Promoting the concept of ‘community leading the way towards ending AIDS’, hoping to achieve the goal by 2030 | Prachatai Prachatai.com

HIV epidemic found to be increasing among LGBQI+ drug users. sex workers, youth groups, and migrant populations, therefore encouraging community networks to organize services to reach these groups It will help Thailand end the AIDS problem according to its goal by 2030. This year, the United Nations AIDS Program or UNAIDS raises the slogan Let Communities Lead: It’s time for communities to lead the way towards ending AIDS.

28 Nov. 2023 Reporters received reports that on 24 Nov. Community networks working on HIV from across the country They have come together to show their strength and determination to make society aware of the importance of communities to the public health system. This will help Thailand end the AIDS problem.

Thailand is widely accepted and is an international model for people living with HIV to step up and help take care of each other. “Friends Help Friends Group” since 1995 and have developed together into a holistic center. Work with hospitals By the group of infected people The role has been changed from being a service recipient to being a service co-organizer. Side by side with medical personnel, until now there are 219 groups working at the holistic center.

Surang Chanyam, Chairman of the Board of the Non-Governmental Organization for AIDS (KPO) and Director of the SWING Friends of Service Workers Foundation

Surang Chanyam, chairman of the board of the NGO AIDS (KPO) and director of the SWING Friends of Service Workers Foundation, stated that the community sector has been ready to help the government and international agencies end the AIDS problem for a long time. long There have been innovations to solve the AIDS problem and there have been many notable achievements. Until serving as a mentor for community organizations in many countries, however, it is still found that there are legal issues. and policies that are still obstacles Therefore, we want to see clarity and acceptance that the community sector and civil society are organized into the structure of a concrete health system and have a budget to support sustainable functioning.

“The community says he’s been doing it for a long time. He is fully prepared. In moving forward For Thailand, Community Leadership is very strong and is at the forefront in Asia Pacific. I think that if we open the way to fully support the community. such as various regulations If we can unfold Then let him work to his full potential. and support funding for community action. If Community-led Health Services are fully developed, they will be able to help those who do not yet have access to the service system,” said Patchara Benjarattanaporn, Director of UNAIDS Thailand.

Patchara Benjarattanaporn, Director of UNAIDS Thailand

For community participation in ending the AIDS problem Its importance is doubling in Thailand. This is because the HIV epidemic is found to be changing and increasing among vulnerable people, including LGBQI+, drug users. service staff and youth groups and transnational population Therefore, the strength of being a community is understanding and accessing needs. Problems and obstacles for this group of people who are affected by HIV. those who are difficult to reach Those who still have fear Concerned about stigma and discrimination Therefore, they have not yet entered the general health system.

Dr. Praphan Panupak, Professor Emeritus and Senior Advisor on Research and Policy Institute for HIV Research and Innovation The first person to detect AIDS in Thailand is hopeful that Thailand can still definitely end the AIDS problem according to the goal in the next 7 years. If policy makers and executives increase investment in community organizations to the utmost in the remaining time and all sectors help and support correcting policies and regulations that are not conducive to work, community organizations have a lot of power to Help Thailand truly end AIDS.

Dr. Praphan Panupak, Professor Emeritus and Senior Advisor on Research and Policy Institute for HIV Research and Innovation

“In the past 6 – 7 years, we have only focused on high-risk groups, gay men and transgender women. They must be examined quickly. We were successful there, but now the general public which are forgotten because they are not in a high-risk group With rates of HIV infection rising around the world, it is now time for policies to focus on the general population. Every Thai person should be tested for AIDS at least once in their life. No matter what he has done, because after the first test, he will know when he should repeat the test.

I once spoke with the Director-General of the Department of Disease Control. It should be given to the Prime Minister. Speak on World AIDS Day like former US President Barack Obama said and then have a sign in the US saying “know your result”.

The Prime Minister can say that every Thai person should at least get tested for AIDS at least once in their lives. The test is free to maintain health. He does not say whether to get tested to be infected with HIV or not. Testing quickly will prevent the spread of the virus to others quickly.” Dr. Praphan said