Thailand is a middle-income country and has seen impressive economic growth over the last 20 years. Despite this, the number of poor and vulnerable remain significant.
Despite increased government spending on health, Thailand still has some of the highest levels of HIV infection in Asia. The first case of HIV in Thailand was registered in 1984. The government was quick to recognise the magnitude of the epidemic, and responded by adopting effective national plans and strategies. Despite this, there are still gaps in HIV prevention, care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS. Norwegian Church Aid has chosen to remain in the country in order to assist in closing some of these gaps.
Our work
People living with HIV and AIDS have a right to medical treatment, care and a life free from stigmatisation and discrimination. Our programme aims to strengthen communities’ ability to provide care, support and counselling for people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. We have chosen to mobilise Buddhist, Muslim and Christian groups to lead this work. We support 60 local faith-based groups that assist approximately 15,000 infected and affected people around the country.
We work in partnership with the Interfaith Network for AIDS in Thailand and in further developing the strength of this organisation.
Our programme is part of a national HIV and AIDS response and is funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Coordination through the ACT Alliance
Norwegian Church Aid coordinates with other ACT Alliance members present in Thailand. The current focus is on emergency preparedness and response, however we hope this will cover more thematic areas in the future.