US-Thai project sees pioneering HIV clinic open in Chiang Rai

[webfact]

US-Thai project sees pioneering HIV clinic open in Chiang Rai

By The Nation 
Chiang Rai

 

Photo courtesy of USAID ASIA

 

Thailand’s first community-led HIV clinic for people at high risk has opened in Chiang Rai serving homosexual men, transgender women and female sex workers.

 

The clinic, which makes prevention, testing and treatment services more readily available for high-risk individuals, is operated by the community-based Mplus Foundation.

 

It is funded by the government in partnership with the United States President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) through the US Agency for International Development (USAid) Linkages Project implemented by FHI 360, a non-profit human-development organisation.

 

The Thai government is providing funds under a new cost-sharing model. The National Health Security Office has initially allocated 14 per cent of the operating budget, or Bt980,000, while Pepfar/USAid provides the balance.

 

“This new partnership is a key milestone demonstrating Thailand’s commitment to financing a community response to HIV,” US Ambassador Glyn Davies said at the opening last Friday.

 

“This year, as the United States and Thailand celebrate 200 years of friendship, we are proud of our three generations of public health cooperation with the Kingdom, and pleased to work with national health officials and communities to take, together, the final steps toward ending Aids,” he said.

 

Mplus provides access to high-quality services and provides rapid testing and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, a combination of drugs to be taken daily to substantially reduce the risk of infection.

 

People testing positive for HIV will be able to start treatment quickly.

 

The government will reimburse the community health centre for part of the cost of services provided on a per-client-served basis.

 

Mplus Chiang Rai will also receive a small grant from Chiang Rai Hospital to implement HIV-related activities.

 

“The new Mplus clinic is a great example of the government-supported and co-financed Key Population-led Health Services Model for ensuring access to HIV services for all citizens,” said Praphan Phanuphak, director of the Thai Red Cross Aids Research Centre.

 

“We believe this model can be replicated across Thailand as well as in other countries.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30342259

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-02

[grumbleweed]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

opened in Chiang Rai serving homosexual men, transgender women and female sex workers

Not exactly on the doorstep of the sex capital of the world is it?

What next, dogs vaccinated in Pattaya to prevent rabies in Chiang Rai?

Edited April 2, 2018 by grumbleweed

[Xaos]

They got cure

[Krataiboy]

We need more of these. 

 

According to the latest report from HIV-AIDS watchdog Avert, of all new infections, 50 percent were among men who have sex with men (MSM), male sex workers and transgender people.

 

Overall, nearly one in ten men who have sex with men are living with HIV. In Bangkok prevalence is estimated at 28.6 percent. Although the availability of prevention services has improved, Avert says, new infections have "not declined as much as was intended".

[JMonroe]

Well actually, HIV rates in northern Thailand are quite high. It is one of the worst affected areas of the country and always has been. 

Edited April 2, 2018 by RobertH

[d2b2]

Thai Red Cross operates a similar clinic in BKK. That model should be expended to include other Thai locations. It ends up saving lives and money in the long run. These clinics use cheaper generic HIV meds which will sadly be threatened by the Junta’s mad and thoughtless rush to join The Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement. 

[Elkski]

A teacher who worked in Chiang Rai told me that HIV is a big issue there among sex workers.  I can't recall the logic behind her assertion.