WHO claim of HIV infection rate disputed

THAILAND is still far from achieving the goal of zero mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, despite progress recently announced at the United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on Ending Aids.
The Thai NGO Coalition on Aids yesterday pointed out that there are many key obstacles for the Kingdom to achieve the zero-transition mark.
“For example, the lack of understanding and negative attitudes towards women living with HIV still prevail to the point that the delivery of medical services is discriminatory,” the NGO said in a statement.
The group also said women in Thailand still do not have enough alternatives to prevent transmission.
“Some don’t even know they too are at risk,” the statement continued, adding that the lack of coordination among agencies also made it impossible for some HIV-positive women to receive anti-retroviral drugs on a continual basis.
The Thai NGO Coalition on Aids released the statement after the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised Thailand as being the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, and also the first to ensure an Aids-free generation. The validation, which is based on WHO global guidance on the elimination of mother-to-child transmission, took place at a United Nations meeting in New York earlier this month.
“Such remarkable success has reduced the risk of mother-to-child transmission. This means babies born to HIV-positive mothers can avoid illnesses and lifelong treatments,” Thai NGO Coalition on Aids said.
But the group added that the Public Health Ministry needs to do more to educate its staff about HIV transmission and to eradicate discrimination in the delivery of services.

Risk for migrant women
“All should understand that HIV-positive women have the right to carry pregnancies and their children have the right to grow up, study and get jobs just like any other children,” the NGO emphasised.
The group added that the provision of services needed to be improved to ensure women receive comprehensive information and engage in planning to protect themselves from sexual violence and HIV.
Nimit Tien-udom, a member of the coalition, said migrant and stateless women in Thailand should also be given access to healthcare that could protect them from HIV or prevent mother-to-child transmissions.