BANGKOK, Nov 29, 2007 (AFP) - Thailand is failing to provide treatment to drug users most at risk of AIDS despite its reputation as a pioneer in the global battle against the disease, Human Rights Watch said Thursday.
The Thai government estimates that 40 to 50 percent of injection drug users are living with HIV, a figure that has not changed over the past two decades despite general success in preventing infections, the group said in a report.
"Thailand wants to be seen as a success story in the fight against AIDS, yet it is failing to address the epidemic among the population hit hardest by HIV," said Rebecca Schleifer, an advocate with Human Rights Watch.
"The Thai government has recognised that the HIV infection rate is 'unacceptably high,' and it has the expertise to address this public health emergency," she said.
The report blames the problem on police harassment and discrimination against drug users, saying health care workers deny antiretroviral treatment to people who need it if they are using illicit narcotics.
Many injection drug users were also driven into hiding and afraid of authorities after former premier Thaksin Shinawatra led a "war on drugs" in 2003, when at least 2,500 people died in extrajudicial killings, the group said.
Thailand has generally been lauded for its universal treatment programme, which has included a controversial battle with pharmaceutical companies for cheap or generic versions of cutting-edge treatments.
"An HIV diagnosis is still a death sentence for most drug users in Thailand," said Paisan Suwannawong, director of the Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group.
"Thailand must stop discrimination against drug users seeking health care services, or it will never meet its promise to ensure access to AIDS treatment to all who need it."
HIV/AIDS is one of Thailand's top causes of death, with some 500,000 Thais living with the disease, according to health ministry figures.
071129
AF071157
Copyright ©AFP 2007. All Rights Reserved. AFP articles contained on the AEGiS web site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without AFP's prior written permission. You may make one copy of each article for your personal, non-commercial use only; more copies would require AFP's prior written permission obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP photos or materials. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP stories, photos or graphics. http://www.afp.com/
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.