Thai Health Ministry Distributes Condoms in Schools Amid Rising Youth HIV Cases

Acting Deputy Minister of Public Health Chaichana Dechdecho admitted on Monday to increasing levels of HIV infections among youth and revealed intentions to enter into agreements with schools for distributing condoms and offering sex education programs.

During a House meeting led by First Vice President of the Senate, General Kriangkrai Srirak, Mr. Chaichana addressed inquiries from Senator Parinya Wongcherdkwan about Thailand's approaches to preventing HIV and how funds are distributed.

Mr. Chaichana stated that although general HIV statistics have dropped, younger individuals currently account for an unproportionally large number of new infections. The ministry plans to work alongside private businesses operating in high-risk industries and increase access to HIV testing centers.

The government has established goals to keep new infections at a maximum of 1,000 each year and fatalities under 4,000 annually. Mr. Chaichana mentioned that although overall numbers indicate an increase of 8,000 cases, he anticipates the total for the second half of the year to stay beneath 3,000 cases.

Regions experiencing the highest infection levels are Bangkok, Chon Buri, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Ratchasima, which attract large numbers of tourists.

The government allocates 8.4 billion baht each year for HIV prevention and medical treatment, with 7.7 billion baht coming from local sources and 788 million baht provided through foreign assistance. Medication costs amount to 6.2 billion baht, whereas programs focused on prevention get 1.2 billion baht.

Out of around 500,000 individuals undergoing therapy, more than 5,700 come from abroad. The typical annual cost of treatment is 12,000 baht per person.

A Senate investigation brought attention to worries regarding the success of Thailand's efforts to prevent HIV and the cost associated with providing treatment for foreigners living with the virus.

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