Asean addresses HIV/AIDS

Asean officials met yesterday in Vientiane to discuss ways to combat the rising incidence of HIV and AIDS in the region.

The discussions were part of UNDP funded talks entitled ‘Asean Regional Consultation on Project Development for Finalising the Regional Proposal and Plan of Action for the Greater Involvement and Empowerment of People Living with HIV'.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the meeting, Deputy Minister of Public Health Dr Bounkouang Phichit said the increasing prevalence of HIV and AIDS had placed a substantial burden on regional health care systems and national budgets, especially in low income countries.

“The number of people living with HIV in Laos is increasing, so we need to improve access to services for the victims of this disease. I am glad to learn the Asean Taskforce on AIDS has taken into consideration the involvement and empowerment of people living with HIV,” Dr Bounkouang said.

According to the National Committee for the Control of AIDS, there were 2,630 recorded cases of sexually transmitted diseases in Laos between 1990 and 2007, including 1,600 HIV infections. More than 800 people are known to have died of AIDS in Laos .

To tackle the disease, an Asean-USAID collaboration on HIV/AIDS is running a project called Increasing Access to Affordable Medicines, focusing in particular on antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and diagnostic agents.

The project aims to increase leaders' commitment, strengthen regional coordination and build regional capacity to address multi-border issues.

As part of cooperation efforts, Asean has developed a regional framework and strategy matrix to expedite efforts to increase access to affordable ARVs and diagnostic reagents.

The matrix includes a scheme to minimise stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV, in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV.

HIV has been spreading rapidly in the region. Laos has low rates of HIV infection, but continuing efforts must be made to ensure the country maintains a low prevalence of HIV infection.

“I hope all Asean member countries work together to reduce HIV infection rates and share best practices to assist each other,” Dr Bounkouang said.

UN Resident Coordinator in Laos Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana said yesterday's discussions would contribute to addressing the needs and concerns of people living with HIV and strengthen their participation in the planning and implementation of Asean's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS.

UNAIDS and WHO estimate about 4.9 million people were living with HIV in Asia in 2007. This figure included 440,000 people who became infected with the disease in that year.

“We know people living with HIV are at the centre of this epidemic and are bearing the heaviest burdens and challenges,” Ms Rana said.

She said over the past few years the region had witnessed a growing number of networks of people living with HIV.

These groups provide a space for people to gather and share their concerns, offer services to their peers and families and give a collective platform for those living with HIV to voice their feelings.

Thirty-two representatives from Cambodia , Indonesia , Laos , Malaysia , Myanmar , the Philippines , Singapore , Thailand and international agencies in Laos attended the workshop.

By XAYXANA LEUKAI
(Latest Update May 08, 2008)