4th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum in Hanoi (12-14 October 2005)

Symposium G: HIV/AIDS

Symposium G focused on strategies and activities that could improve HIV prevention, treatment and care. Dr Chawin Sirinak from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration introduced Bangkok’s 3rd Plan for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Alleviation and Mr Bruce Ravesloot presented UNESCAP’s “Partners for Health” project in Thailand showing how associations of People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) could effectively assist in extending ARV1 treatment in hospitals.

According to Dr Sirinak, Bangkok’s municipal government had set three goals for its third Plan for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Alleviation lasting from 2002-2006: to decrease the new HIV infection rate of pregnant women to below 1 per cent, to have at least 80 per cent of citizens accept PLWHA to live happily in the community, and to have at least 80 per cent of PLWHA and affected individuals receive appropriate care and support from public, private and community organizations. To decrease the infection rate the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration was promoting 100 per cent condom use and provided information to the public, especially to young people who formed one of the major risk groups. Treatment and care for PLWHA was being strengthened, e.g. with regard to antiretroviral and opportunistic infection therapy, nursing, self-care, and social welfare. Community participation in all these activities was actively encouraged.
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The “Partners for Health” project had aimed to improve access to quality-assured HIV/AIDS-related services through public-private-community partnership. This had been achieved through peer counseling services to PLWHA provided by the Centre for People and Families Affected by AIDS at selected hospitals in Bangkok and through establishing an income–generation system capable of sustaining the delivery of health-care services to PLWHA project beneficiaries. A private sector company had been set up and managed by PLWHA to retail primary textile-based products made by PLWHA and affected communities. These had been sold at conferences and other events as this had been found to be especially viable because of Bangkok being a hub for regional events. The marketing concept had focused on engaging consumers’ support for PLWHA in their struggle against the significant health-related and socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS, including stigma and discrimination.
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The subsequent discussion emphasized that local authorities could and needed to play an effective role in working with PLWHA and that political support from the central government could reinforce these efforts. Participants also felt that it was critically important to involve PLWHA in policy-making and implementation of HIV prevention, treatment and care. In addition, the need for update information, appropriate care for children in treatment as well as the need to address the stigmatization associated with HIV/AIDS was identified. Peer education and income-generation activities to finance treatment and care were mentioned as good practices.

Notes:
1. Antiretroviral Drugs

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Symposium A: Localizing MDGs
Symposium B: Urban Environment
Symposium C: Health
Symposium D: Education
Symposium E: Gender Equality
Symposium F: E-Governance
Symposium G: HIV/AIDS
Symposium H: Children