NGO Forum news
Monthly NGO Forum invitations and press releases.
Using theatrical arts to improve AIDS response in Thailand
Theatrical art forms are a powerful media to increase the understanding of community on the issues around HIV and AIDS. Two groups in Northern Thailand have been using theatrical art forms to raise HIV awareness and further the understanding of general public on prevention, treatment, care and support needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV). These two groups, Kabfai Community Theatre Project and Taem Fun Group, shared their experiences of using theatrical art forms, at the Monthly NGO Forum on health and development, Chiang Mai on 28 August 2007.
Better advocacy tools needed to influence Thai government drug user policies
Chiang Mai, Thailand - Participants at the recently held monthly NGO discussion forum, which brings together AIDS and TB civil society organizations working in Northern Thailand, called for increased and better advocacy strategies to change the Thai government's policy towards drug users.
The Thai government has in the past been accused of using suppressive methods when dealing with drug users, thereby driving the problem underground. Also, the government's approach to harm reduction has generally ignored the need for HIV prevention, when, in fact, HIV infection is high among injecting drug users (IDUs).
Is Compulsory Licensing the Solution to Patients' Access to Treatment?
Thailand Government compulsory licences backed by NGOs on legal, ethical and public health grounds
Chiang Mai, Thailand - At a special session of the monthly NGO Forum titled "Is compulsory licensing a solution to patientsss' access to drugs???" attended by 120 participants from HIV/AIDS NGOs, research institutes and health services throughout Northern Thailand, full support was affirmed for the governmenttt's recent decision to issue compulsory licenses (CL) for drugs to treat HIV infection (Kaletra, and efavirenz) and heart disease (Plavix).
Addressing gender inequalities key as microbicides research proceeds
Chiang Mai, Thailand - During a monthly NGO forum on microbicides held on 24 April 2007, NGO representatives concluded that unless gender inequalities are addressed, even when microbicides eventually become available, they might only be another HIV prevention option and not a magic bullet in averting considerable number of new HIV infections.
Global HIV data - tragically - confirms what women's health, rights, and social justice advocates have said for more than a decade - the social, economic, and sexual vulnerability of women, particularly young women and girls, harms their health and increases their risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Existing prevention strategies have largely failed to address this vulnerability, focusing on abstinence, mutual monogamy and male condom use - none of which are easily controlled by women.
The Act on Protection of HIV Infected Persons and AIDS Patients B.E.
"The Act on Protection of HIV Infected Persons and AIDS Patients B.E. (year)": Can it ensure the protection for People living with HIV and AIDS?
Chiang Mai, Thailand - During a monthly NGO forum on health held on 27 March 2007, AIDS NGO representatives and activists dismissed a draft law on the protection of HIV-infected persons in Thailand as discriminatory to the people it seeks to protect.
The draft law titled "The Act on Protection of HIV-Infected Persons and AIDS Patients (B.E.)" could reverse the country's efforts to effectively respond to HIV and AIDS, said many of the civil society activists.
AIDS, TB and Love
In February, the monthly NGO Forum, organized by Health and Development Networks (HDN) in collaboration with the Northern NGO Coalition on AIDS (NNCA) and TB Photovoice Thailand, focused on the sensitive topic of 'AIDS, TB and Love'.
In the early 1990s, there was a lack of awareness and understanding of HIV in Thai society as well as a lack of preventative programs. The prevalence of HIV was high, particularly in the northernmost areas of the country.
At the forum, three speakers shared their experiences of HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and love.
Importance of faith-based responses to HIV/AIDS in Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand - Religion provides security and spiritual guidance to help both individuals and communities deal with problems such as HIV and AIDS.
Religious personnel play important roles in people's lives, giving emotional support and serving as teachers, healers and counsellors. Many religious leaders and institutions have expanded to include work on HIV/AIDS in their missions because of the gravity of the problem within local communities.
