Children and AIDS in Thailand: One Country’s Response

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programme, funds are being raised from the general public and businesses to buy the drug,
while the necessary care is provided by participating hospitals.
4. Caring for children with HIV
Many hospitals in Thailand have long experience in providing medical care for pediatric HIV/A DS
and the government has prepared guidelines for the clinical management of children. the
country also plans to strengthen the capacity of most hospitals to provide medical care to chilc ren
and to deal with variations in opportunistic infections. This includes making antiretrovirals fnd
prophylaxis available for opportunistic infections in children. At the local level, there is a strong
proposal to improve follow-up and psychosocial support to HIV-infected children and mothers as
an integral part of routine antenatal, perinatal and postnatal care. In addition, the governmer t is
putting more emphasis on elimating discrimination in medical settings.
5. Reducing the impact on children orphaned by AIDS
Thailand has introduced various small-scale projects to care for and support children orphar ed
by AIDS within the comunity and family networks. Larger-scale projects are now beginning. I: is
not the policy to isolate the children in institutions, but rather to help them remain with he
extended family. An effort is made to counsel relatives, reduce misunderstandings in 1 he
community and provide necessary financial subsidies. In addition, traditional networks such as
the temple boys system are being revived to allow the fostering of orphans. Thai teachers he ve
also begun playing a key role by ensuring orphans are not discriminated against or stigmatised at
school.
6. Preventing the spread and reducing the impact of HIV among children in difficult
circumstances
Government and non-governmental agencies have integrated HIV/AIDS education into th 9ir
outreach programmes for street children, This began in cities such as Bangkok and Chiang M Ii,
and is expected to expand to other cities.
The government recognises that HIVIAIDS is a major concern which adds to the seriousness of
the problem of commercial sexual exploitation of children. The issue of child prostitution his
been a high priority in Thailand in the last four years. The past two govemrnments have taken ley al
measures to address the problem, and police action against procurers and brothels offerii ig
children for sex has been stepped up. In addition, income-generating projects have bee(n
targeted at parents of children with few economic opportunities. The Prime Minister has initiated a
programme at the provincial level, and established a joint govemment/NGO monitoring agency.
Provinces which meet targets are given national recognition and media coverage. An increasir g
number of provinces have reported success in stopping child prostitution.
Thailand's strong commitment to addressing the issue of HIVIAIDS in children is illustrated by a
high-level meeting in November 1995, chaired by the deputy Minister of Health. Governme it
ministries, non-governmental agencies, businesses and the media discussed the nation Il
assessment of problem and furthur action to be taken. International agencies including UNAIDS
and its co-sponsors will continue to play a crucial role in supporting these efforts ar d
disseminating lessons leamed to other countries.

For more information, please contact Anne Winter, UNAIDS, Geneva, (+41 22) 791.4577 ()r
Cristina Schmitz, UNAIDS, Geneva, (+41 22) 791.4661. For information on the Programme, visit
the Internet (http:/f158.232.20,3/)