Dr. Opas Karkawinphong Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health chaired the 1/2023 meeting of the National Committee on the Prevention and Solution of AIDS Problems, saying that the Ministry of Public Health In collaboration with the National Health Security Board to increase the types and scope of public health services in the national health security system
HIV self-screening test kit service This promotes easy access screening. It is voluntary and confidential. Helps to encourage normal checkups.
“Infected with HIV” is not the same as “infected with AIDS”, but it can be fatal if you do not know how to prevent it.
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- As a result, people with risky behaviors were examined more. And the infected person enters the treatment system faster. To solve the problem of delayed access to HIV diagnosis and treatment services It can be seen from the data in 2022 that among 17,809 newly diagnosed HIV-infected people, 52% were aware of their late infection status. They are diagnosed with HIV when their immune levels are very low. (CD 4 white blood cell count less than 200) or sick from opportunistic infections
- Screening for hepatitis B and C viruses in the general population born before 1992, with 1 time examination throughout their lifetime and hepatitis B and C virus screening in 5 risk populations (HIV-infected) injecting drug users, inmates, health personnel and men who have sex with men) once a year so that people infected with chronic hepatitis B and C can quickly receive standard treatment. Reduce the chance of severe illness Reduce the incidence of cirrhosis and liver cancer. and reduce deaths Especially hepatitis C, which can be cured by medication. The target group of people can receive the service free of charge.
Both services are under the process of the NHSO. Determining criteria, methods, and conditions for compensation payments for service providers. Has assigned the Department of Disease Control and relevant agencies to coordinate the preparation period and the date that the service will begin. for the public to know and access the service as soon as possible
NHSO organizes a budget of 4,000 million to take care of health insurance rights, access to free HIV-AIDS testing kits
Sub-Committee for Driving to End AIDS Problems Has approved the appointment of a working group to drive the implementation of the development of the quality of the HIV care system at the national level so that people with HIV receive quality, standardized and timely services. Antiretroviral therapy can be treated within the same day as diagnosis. And taking the medicine continuously until the virus can be suppressed in the body successfully lead to a normal life reduce illness and reduce deaths from opportunistic infectious diseases. pushing for the end of the AIDS problem in Thailand by 2030
December 1 is “World AIDS Day” Thai people are entitled to free HIV testing twice a year.
Prime Minister urges to end AIDS problem “Not stuck – not dead – not branded” to solve the problem
