Access to HIV and AIDS treatments and medicines

Oxfam works with a number of non-government organisations, activists, hospital staff, caregivers, medical researchers, and people living with HIV and AIDS in promoting affordable HIV and AIDS treatment and medicines in Thailand, where currently 800,000 people are HIV-positive or have AIDS.

For adults, Oxfam finances laboratory tests and antiretroviral treatment to AIDS patients in six hospitals in Chiangmai province, who need and cannot afford costly medication. In parallel, Oxfam works with partners to develop a comprehensive model of diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and follow-up processes so that AIDS patients receive the correct type of treatment and care. This model will be shared and advocated to other hospitals and the Ministry of Public Health for positive changes in practices and policies that may impact hundreds of thousands of people who are HIV-positive or have AIDS.

Traditional antibody testing allows physicians to diagnose HIV in infants who are born to HIV-infected mothers 12 to 18 months after birth. This does not give enough time for physicians to provide proper treatment to improve the health of an infected infant. By using a new DNA analysis technique that can identify HIV a few months after a baby is born, the diagnosis enables physicians to give early treatment which helps reduce the mortality of infants who are born to HIV-infected mothers.  Oxfam supports this early HIV diagnosis in infants in 13 government hospitals across Thailand. 

We support sharing and learning events held for health care professionals, community volunteers and people living with HIV to facilitate discussion about their experiences of treatment and care. Through partners, we provide training on HIV and AIDS-related issues, including HIV and AIDS prevention, antiretroviral treatment, opportunistic infection, and pre- and post- counselling. 

Besides promoting the formation of groups for people living with HIV, we also provide support and training on HIV and AIDS related issues to the groups. These well-trained groups have become a task force that assist medical staff across the country in promoting HIV and AIDS prevention and providing assistance to newly infected individuals.   

At the national level, Oxfam and partners are seeking to influence the Government’s national health policies so that all people living with HIV and AIDS will have access to affordable medicine and treatment in a long term. 

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Last updated: January 07