[TuOrG1246] Preparation for the implementation of Thailand's first program on access to free Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART): An experience from northern Thailand

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain — July 7-12, 2002

[TITLE:] Preparation for the implementation of Thailand's first program on access to free Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART): An experience from northern Thailand

[AUTHOR(S):] K. Srithanaviboonchai, T. Leusaree, R. Sennun¹, Y.R. Lo², C. Natpratan³

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12;14:Abstract No. TuOrG1246

ISSUES: In 2000, the Thai Ministry of Public Health initiated the "Access to Care" pilot program to evaluate the feasibility of the administration of free HAART in a cohort of HIV infected patients. The objectives were to identify critical issues for implementation prior to further expansion of the program.

DESCRIPTION: A budget was allocated to provide free ARV therapy and CD4 count to a cohort of 630 patients in six northern provinces with the highest number of AIDS cases reported compared to the country average and with comprehensive AIDS care in place. Representatives from community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, health care providers, people with HIV/AIDS and the Ministry developed the implementation strategy. The core components were 1) selection of HAART regimens and biomedical monitoring tools, 2) definition of enrollment criteria, 3) integration of HAART into current health service delivery system through development of guidelines, capacity building of HIV counsellors, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and laboratory technicians, and assignement of focal persons at each health facility for implementation, 4) development of monitoring and evaluation system and assignment of focal persons at regional level to supervise and monitor implementation, 5) community mobilization and institution of community advisory boards, and 6) quick communication system.

Lesson learned: The implementation of HAART in district and provincial hospitals in northern Thailand was made possible only through the cooperation of all sectors of the society. Technical, operational, and ethical aspects were carefully considered during planning.

RECOMMENDATION: Integration of HAART program in the existing health infrastructure and involvement of all key stakeholders of the society in planning are critical for a successful implementation.

Presenting author: Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai

1Office of Communicable Disease Control Region 10, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

2WHO Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand.

3Family Health International, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

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