Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Reuters NewMedia - Wednesday, June 2, 1999
Robert Birsel of Reuters in Phnom Penh
The region includes areas among the worst hit in Asia by the spread of HIV, which a bank official said could jeopardise plans to foster economic growth.
"The suspicion of HIV/Aids is enough to destroy regional co-operation," said the bank's senior programmes officer, Myo Thant.
"We say 'let's build roads', but they must not become conduits for HIV/Aids," he said.
"It can be prevented, but the time to think about this is now, before the corridors are built."
The action plan on Aids focuses on three groups - government, the private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The plan envisages regional centres for research and aims to rally NGOs and the private sector to participate in the fight against the disease.
A Thai NGO, the Thailand Business Coalition on Aids, could serve as a model for other countries in the region and help convince business people that Aids poses a huge threat to their workers and their customers.
Burma has introduced a cost-effective system whereby a pool of volunteers who consistently exhibit low-risk behaviour is mobilised to donate safe blood.
The plan also includes proposals to focus prevention efforts on certain industries such as construction and fishing, to try to slow the spread of HIV through intravenous drug use and to mobilise religious establishments to care for Aids victims.
The European Union is funding a 1.3 million euro (HK$10.5 million) boost for care facilities in Phnom Penh for Aids sufferers - especially police, troops and prostitutes.
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