Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - December 12, 2001
Anjira Assavanonda
The Fifth International Conference on Home and Community Care for Persons Living with HIV/Aids, scheduled for Dec 17-20, is being hosted by the government.
Praphan Phanuphak, director of the Thai Red Cross Aids Research Centre and co-chairman of the organising committee, said it is the first time the conference will take place in a developing country where HIV/Aids is prevalent. Dr Praphan said about 3,000 people have already registered for the conference, 800 of whom are foreigners. With its theme of ``the power of humanity'', the conference would remind participants of the strength and capacity of the human spirit to care for others, he said.
``Today proper treatment can prolong the lives of HIV carriers though the disease cannot be completely cured. Also, support from family and community members can be helpful to prevent its spread,'' Dr Praphan said.
The conference will focus on care and support at home and in the community, including nursing, clinical care, psychological and social counselling at home or at a community hospice, support for positive living, societal sensitisation to protect Aids sufferers from discrimination, collective community participation at all levels, support needed by a child orphaned by the death of its parents, and support necessary due to the death of a spouse.
The conference will promote the sharing of knowledge and intervention models for home and community care for HIV-infected people, bring together the stakeholders, and facilitate exchanges between different sectors and implementation of strategies to ensure better quality of life for people living with HIV/Aids.
Dr Praphan said Thailand could be a good model for overseas participants since the country was recognised for its effectiveness in handling the HIV/Aids situation. Thailand's infection rate has already decreased from 100,000-150,000 people per year to fewer than 40,000 people now, Dr Praphan said.
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