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Roundup: Cambodia Takes Measures Against HIV/AIDS
Specialists of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Southeast Asia HIV and Development Project have warned that Cambodia still remains one of the region's most affected countries in HIV/AIDS epidemic, even though the estimated prevalence among adults aged 15 to 49 has shown a steady decline from 3.9 percent in 1997 to 2.8 percent in 2001.
The rate of HIV, (AIDS virus) infection in Cambodia is the highest in the Southeast Asian region at present, the UNDP authority said.
Since the first case of the epidemic was found in 1991, it is estimated that out of the 11 million population in the country, there are about 200,000 people infecting with HIV/AIDS, and the number of AIDS cases is expected to grow quickly in the next five years.
The research reports from the National AIDS Authority (NAA) and Non-government Organizations (NGO) have confirmed that the HIV/ AIDS epidemic in Cambodia was mainly caused by heterosexual intercourse. Increasingly, men are bringing HIV infection from prostitutes to their wives who then pass the virus to their babies.
Two percent of Cambodian women who have blood test and pregnancy checkup have been found HIV/AIDS infected, the reports said, adding that 4,000 babies were also infected by HIV/AIDS virus.
As many as 30,000 children have been affected by AIDS in Cambodia, and about 200 children died of the disease annually, the report added.
To respond to the serious situation of higher HIV transmission, the NAA of Cambodia was set up in 1999 to strengthen policy development on the issue, consolidate the various structures and functions required for true comprehensive and multi-sectoral response, and mobilize resources from national and international institutions and agencies as well.
The NAA, together with UNDP Southeast Asia HIV and Development Project, investigated the heavily-affected areas along major highways, National Routes One and Five, which link neighboring countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, assessing the linkage between people and the spread of HIV/AIDS and began mapping HIV vulnerability along the routes.
The NAA has also established provincial and district AIDS committees to study and analyze the situation of HIV/AIDS in local areas to broaden the HIV/AIDS monitoring system.
The NAA has considered that after assessment of the HIV/AIDS situation, the first thing to do is to raise public awareness of HIV transmission through mobilizing local officials, as well as health workers and local police to tell local people about the importance of preventing HIV transmission.
They educated the local people to get better recognition of the possible impact on human security and economic development.
Meanwhile, the NAA, together with the provincial and district authorities, launched the 100 percent condom use program which is not only to be limited to brothels, but also expanded to the public nationwide through a World Bank loan.
Cambodia has also drafted a National Strategic Framework for a Comprehensive and Multi-sectoral Response to HIV/AIDS 2001--2005 which calls for effective approaches that take into account both the unique dynamics of the local epidemics and the unique social, cultural and economic context of Cambodia.
The government asked the related departments to pay attention to increase the status of women and girls and respect the rights of women and girls, as well as encourage men and boys to be engaged in safer sexual behavior to lessen their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.
In order to effectively implement the plan for prevention of HIV/AIDS, the HIV/AIDS program is to be integrated into the National Socio-economic Development Plan and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, while mobilization of the well organized NGOs for expanded response to HIV/AIDS is needed, an official of NAA said.
The Cambodian government will strengthen the managerial structures to increase the capacity for coordination, monitoring, and implementing HIV/AIDS actions, and enhance cooperation with stakeholders at national and international levels, he added.
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