BANGKOK, 29 NOVEMBER 2023 -
Dozens of HIV/AIDS advocates and stakeholders, including government officials and multilateral and development partners, came together in Bangkok for a national dialogue on “Enabling Access: Entry points and Opportunities for strengthening access to services for and with the key populations in Thailand”.
The multi-sectoral dialogue was a collaborative effort between the UNDP Thailand Country Office and key population communities as part of the UNDP-led SCALE Initiative: Removing Barriers to HIV Services. The SCALE initiative seeks to improve access to and uptake of HIV services by supporting the leadership of people living with HIV and other key populations to address the structural barriers to improve HIV outcomes. The SCALE initiative is anchored in a shared commitment to accelerate progress on the 10-10-10 targets for and with key populations.
“I believe that we are all champions, emphasizing patience and determination on the issues, understanding why we are advocating, and being the voice of the unheard groups. This will yield great results for people to access the HIV and health-related services they need," said Dr.Yupadee Sirisinsuk, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office.
The workshop was organized on the principle that the well-being and health of people living with HIV and key populations are significantly impacted by existing laws, policies and practices. The legal and policy environment, if punitive and discriminatory, can obstruct the accessibility of essential services. This workshop engaged key stakeholders centered on three themes: current status of legal impediments, enhancing coordination and alignment and creating a supportive environment.
“Communities will not be able to fully access health-related services if we cannot address service providers' attitudes and understanding, reduce stigma, and establish and strengthen supportive mechanisms regarding rights and discrimination toward HIV and gender," said Chantima Thanasawangkul, Chairperson of the Sub-committee for AIDS Rights Promotion and Protection.
Following a presentation on the current law and policy environment as it relates to service access for key populations, the group broke into various sessions for focused discussions, including on: health management, health systems, discrimination and access to affordable medicines. A final panel discussion from distinguished guests allowed for a discussion on ways forward to reduce inequalities in health and improve service access.
Dr. Patchara Benjarattanaporn, Country Director of UNAIDS Thailand said: "To achieve the strategic goals of same-day ART and reducing HIV new infection rates, we must ensure the success of the U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) principle and implement effective stigma and discrimination practices.”
On World AIDS Day, UNDP announced the first round of Law & Access grants through the SCALE Initiative, supporting key population-led organizations to tackle structural barriers to HIV services like those discussed in the dialogue. Eight of these grants are in Asia and the Pacific for key population-led organizations in Thailand, Philippines and Nepal. Read more here.
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