Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - February 23, 2009
Apiradee Treerutkuarkul
Pairote Boonsirikamchai, assistant secretary-general of the council, said teenagers under 18 now could receive a free HIV test and counselling at clinics.
However, he said there were not enough clinics to provide this service and this could hinder the national Aids prevention campaign.
An increase in HIV/Aids among teenagers was worrying but few people were willing to have the blood tests, increasing the risk of HIV transmission. The Medical Council wants to change the regulation to encourage teenagers to have tests by making the service more widely available.
Dr Pairote said members of the council overseeing the change were discussing the medical guidelines for HIV tests and counselling for teenagers.
They would work with the National Health Security Office to ensure the service was available at hospitals and clinics in each province under the universal health care scheme.
Teenage students would not have to pay for the tests as they were listed under the National Health Security Office-managed universal health care scheme.
A poll last year by the youth network against HIV/Aids among 2,000 students aged under 18 in 20 provinces found 86% agreed with the Medical Council's plan to amend its regulations.
Lawyers, academics and youth, parent and teacher networks, and a medical research organisation also held a public hearing on the issue in mid-December.
They blamed a weak prevention policy for the increase in the number of new Aids cases, which rose from 14,000 in 2007 to 20,000 last year.
The council was also looking at drafting a regulation which would allow teens to keep their medical records confidential.
The present regulation requiring parental permission for pre-natal services could hinder access to essential pregnancy care, Dr Pairote said.
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