Thailand to Spend $40.5 Million for HIV Prevention, Treatment Programs in 2005, Health Official Says

Thailand is planning to spend $40.5 million on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs this year, Suchai Charoenrattanakun, the country's deputy public health minister, said at a national AIDS meeting on Wednesday, Xinhuanet reports. The money will be used to increase drug treatment programs and fund initiatives aimed at high-risk groups such as teenagers, pregnant women and young people carrying out national service terms, according to Charoenrattanakun. According to national statistics, 348,605 HIV-positive people live in Thailand, 32% of whom are 25 to 35 years old (Xinhuanet, 1/13). HIV vaccine trials currently are being conducted in Thailand's Chonburi and Rayong provinces, and the 8,500 volunteers who received the first dose of the vaccine this month so far have not experienced any side effects, according to the Vietnam News Agency (Vietnam News Agency, 1/13).

Back to other news for January 14, 2005