Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Treatment Preparedness in Thailand

In 2001 the Thai Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) launched an antiretroviral therapy (ART) programme. A decentralized approach was adopted and treatment was initially provided to 1500 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in 112 government hospitals. Previously, health care for PLHA had been provided from specialist centres. By February 2004, 23,000 PLHA were being treated in 860 hospitals.

In 2003 the Ministry undertook to provide 50,000 people with ART by 2005 and it is intended that 20,000 more will receive ART through a social insurance scheme. This amounts to close to complete coverage and exceeds the WHO "3 by 5" target.

In parallel with these efforts, patient groups and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have been working to provide PLHA with enough knowledge to make informed decisions on treatment and to play a central role as partners in the provision of care.