Cambodia in the spotlight on World Aids Day

[geovalin]

World Aids Day today is a time to remember the lives lost, rejoice in the progress made, and recommit to ending Aids. In Cambodia, there is much to celebrate. Just ask Dy Sokha. When she was diagnosed with HIV some 20 years ago, her life fell apart. She hid herself away, afraid of dying and the cool eyes of her family and community who regarded Aids with fear. She struggled with poor health. But then in 2004, Dy Sokha started taking medicine to treat HIV and within six months she felt healthy and strong. Today she works as a peer counsellor at an NGO in Phnom Penh that supports people receiving HIV treatment where her smile brightens everyone’s day.

 

A new UNAIDS report shows that across the world treatment for those with Aids has risen significantly. Treatment restores fullness and health to life. Cambodia has made remarkable progress on HIV treatment. In 2001 just 71 people living with HIV were receiving treatment in Cambodia. By June 2017, that number had increased to more than 58,000, which is about 80% of all people living with HIV.

 

The increase in treatment is due to the leadership and commitment of the government of Cambodia, which has made ending Aids a public health priority. For example, the government has made HIV services available even in remote rural areas. In 2016, the country was among the first in Asia to adopt a strategy to treat everyone as soon as they are diagnosed with HIV. Reaching the global 90-90-90 targets is a cornerstone of Cambodia’s national Aids response: that’s 90 percent of people knowing their HIV status, 90 percent of people who know their status getting treatment, and 90 percent of people on treatment being virally suppressed. Cambodia is one of only seven countries worldwide to have achieved the overall 90-90-90 target.

 

read more http://www.khmertimeskh.com/5093316/cambodia-spotlight-world-aids-day/

 

 

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