Workplace voluntary HIV testing programme launched in Thailand
Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VCT) programme, which aims to support reduction of HIV infections in Thailand, was launched on 15 November 2013 by the ILO, UNAIDS and the Thailand Business Coalition on AIDS. The innovative programme - VCT@WORK - will encourage 100,000 workers to undergo voluntary HIV testing through their workplaces by the end of 2015.
BANGKOK (ILO News) – Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VCT) programme, which aims to support reduction of HIV infections in Thailand, was launched on 15 November 2013 by the ILO, UNAIDS and the Thailand Business Coalition on AIDS.
The innovative programme - VCT@WORK - will encourage 100,000 workers to undergo voluntary HIV testing through their workplaces by the end of 2015. The main goal of the VCT@WORK programme is to assist people to become aware of their HIV status earlier so that they can continue to maintain healthy and productive lives.
Ms Panisara Pimpru or “Opal”, a well-known actress/ television presenter, who is VCT@WORK celebrity spokesperson said: “HIV is a virus like any other virus, and an early detection through HIV testing and treatment is the first step towards a normal, healthy life.”
“In Thailand HIV testing and treatment is offered for free through a number of public health schemes but the challenge has been to make it known that the treatment is available, it is free, and is highly effective. Businesses can play a central role in getting this message out,” according to Mr Anthony Pramualratana, a senior advisor for the Thailand Business Coalition on AIDS.
An estimated 480,000 people are living with HIV in Thailand, but only 240,000 are accessing HIV treatment. “Promoting HIV counselling and testing that is closely linked to HIV treatment services is a critical part of Thailand’s strategy to eliminate all new HIV infections and prevent AIDS deaths”, according to Dr Taweesap Siraprapasiri, Director, The National AIDS Management Center, Ministry of Public Health. Use of available HIV testing services in Thailand remains low, however, with only 40 per cent of high risk groups engaging in HIV tests in the past year, according to the Ministry of Public Health.
“The workplace is a critical bridge between prevention education and treatment. We have seen the power of workplaces for delivering prevention messages in Thailand, but now it is time we turn our attention to getting more workers on treatment, particularly in vulnerable industries.” according to Mr Maurizio Bussi, Officer-in-Charge for the ILO Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Protecting the employment rights of people living with HIV is also a key requirement for expanding HIV testing and treatment through the workplace. Thailand labour policies make it clear that workplaces should not discriminate against people living with HIV and confidentiality regarding HIV status in the workplace should be maintained. According to Mr Sawit Kaew-wan from the State Enterprise Workers’ Relations Confederation, “Workers are more likely to go for an HIV test when they know that their rights will be protected. The first step is always a conducive policy environment.”
In June 2010, the ILO passed the world first international labour standard on HIV and AIDS, Recommendation concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work (No. 200). The standard prohibits all forms of discrimination toward workers living with HIV and calls on employers to ensure that HIV testing and treatment is accessible for workers.
The VCT@WORK programme in Thailand is part of a global programme launched by the ILO and UNAIDS in June 2013. The goal of the international programme is to deliver 5 million workers to voluntary HIV counselling and testing by 2015. Other key partners for the programme in Thailand include the Ministry of Labour, the Employers’ Confederation of Thailand, the Labour Congress of Thailand and the State Enterprise Workers’ Relations Confederation and the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre.
Information Officer
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Tel.: 02 288 1664
Email
Mr Richard Howard
Senior Specialist on HIV and AIDS
ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for East and South-East Asia and the Pacific
Tel.: 02 288 1765
Email
The innovative programme - VCT@WORK - will encourage 100,000 workers to undergo voluntary HIV testing through their workplaces by the end of 2015. The main goal of the VCT@WORK programme is to assist people to become aware of their HIV status earlier so that they can continue to maintain healthy and productive lives.
Ms Panisara Pimpru or “Opal”, a well-known actress/ television presenter, who is VCT@WORK celebrity spokesperson said: “HIV is a virus like any other virus, and an early detection through HIV testing and treatment is the first step towards a normal, healthy life.”
“In Thailand HIV testing and treatment is offered for free through a number of public health schemes but the challenge has been to make it known that the treatment is available, it is free, and is highly effective. Businesses can play a central role in getting this message out,” according to Mr Anthony Pramualratana, a senior advisor for the Thailand Business Coalition on AIDS.
An estimated 480,000 people are living with HIV in Thailand, but only 240,000 are accessing HIV treatment. “Promoting HIV counselling and testing that is closely linked to HIV treatment services is a critical part of Thailand’s strategy to eliminate all new HIV infections and prevent AIDS deaths”, according to Dr Taweesap Siraprapasiri, Director, The National AIDS Management Center, Ministry of Public Health. Use of available HIV testing services in Thailand remains low, however, with only 40 per cent of high risk groups engaging in HIV tests in the past year, according to the Ministry of Public Health.
“The workplace is a critical bridge between prevention education and treatment. We have seen the power of workplaces for delivering prevention messages in Thailand, but now it is time we turn our attention to getting more workers on treatment, particularly in vulnerable industries.” according to Mr Maurizio Bussi, Officer-in-Charge for the ILO Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Protecting the employment rights of people living with HIV is also a key requirement for expanding HIV testing and treatment through the workplace. Thailand labour policies make it clear that workplaces should not discriminate against people living with HIV and confidentiality regarding HIV status in the workplace should be maintained. According to Mr Sawit Kaew-wan from the State Enterprise Workers’ Relations Confederation, “Workers are more likely to go for an HIV test when they know that their rights will be protected. The first step is always a conducive policy environment.”
In June 2010, the ILO passed the world first international labour standard on HIV and AIDS, Recommendation concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work (No. 200). The standard prohibits all forms of discrimination toward workers living with HIV and calls on employers to ensure that HIV testing and treatment is accessible for workers.
The VCT@WORK programme in Thailand is part of a global programme launched by the ILO and UNAIDS in June 2013. The goal of the international programme is to deliver 5 million workers to voluntary HIV counselling and testing by 2015. Other key partners for the programme in Thailand include the Ministry of Labour, the Employers’ Confederation of Thailand, the Labour Congress of Thailand and the State Enterprise Workers’ Relations Confederation and the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre.
For further information please contact:
Krisdaporn SinghaseniInformation Officer
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Tel.: 02 288 1664
Mr Richard Howard
Senior Specialist on HIV and AIDS
ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for East and South-East Asia and the Pacific
Tel.: 02 288 1765