Speaking at the Senate on 7/7, Deputy Public Health Minister Chaichana Dechdecho said that while the total number of HIV cases nationwide has stabilized, new infections among young people are rising due to complacency and a lack of awareness about transmission risks. This alarming trend is a significant concern for health officials and the public.
Data from the National Health Security Office reveals that Thailand has recorded over 547,000 cumulative HIV cases. Hotspots like Bangkok, Chon Buri, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Ratchasima are particularly affected due to their large tourist populations.
In response, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with schools to distribute condoms and strengthen sex education. The ministry will also partner with the private sector to address high-risk industries and expand HIV testing facilities nationwide.
The national goal is to reduce new infections to under 1,000 and deaths to under 4,000 annually. However, experts are concerned about achieving this target, as many young people mistakenly believe HIV is curable or no longer a serious threat, leading to careless prevention practices.
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A condom vending machine at a school in Thailand. Photo: TNA |
A condom vending machine at a school in Thailand. Photo: TNA
Thailand spends an average of 8.4 billion baht annually on HIV prevention and patient care, with 7.7 billion baht coming from the national budget and the remainder from international aid. Of this, 6.2 billion baht is allocated for treatment, while prevention programs receive only about 1.2 billion baht. The average treatment cost per patient is 12,000 baht per year, including care for over 5,700 foreigners living in Thailand.
HIV remains a major challenge for Thailand's healthcare system, both in terms of treatment efficacy and the financial burden of caring for citizens and foreigners. The government is calling for close cooperation between the public and private sectors, along with community involvement, to achieve disease control goals over the next decade.
Thuc Linh (Bangkok Post, Oananews)
