[natty]

[credit to thaimyths.com] pretty interesting.



Thailand is in the middle of an AIDS crisis.

THE FACTS:
While Every Case Of AIDS Is A Tragedy, Thailand’s HIV Infection Rate Is Relatively Low. The Country’s Current Situation Does Not Meet The Definition Of A “Crisis.” Consider...

Released Friday, May 11, 2007

FACT: Countries Across The World Are Facing An AIDS Crisis.

Life Expectancy In Swaziland Has Dropped From 51 Years To 39 In Just A Decade As A Direct Result Of The AIDS Epidemic. “The Swaziland HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 38.6 percent. … The majority of deaths occur among young people aged 15–49, the nation’s most productive population segment. Particularly high infection rates of up to 47.3 percent are found among women 15–24 years of age, and up to 18.3 percent among men in the same age group. Life expectancy at birth in the mid-1990s was 51 years, but it has dropped rapidly to 39.4 as a direct result of AIDS.”

(USAID, Accessed 5/11/07)

Almost One-Quarter Of Botswana’s Adult Population Is HIV Positive. “Botswana is among the countries hardest hit by AIDS. In 2005 there were an estimated 270,000 people living with HIV. This, in a country with a total population below two million, gives Botswana an adult HIV prevalence rate of 24.1%.

(AVERT, Accessed 5/11/07)

Nearly 1,000 Die Every Day In South Africa Because Of AIDS. “South Africa is currently experiencing one of the most severe AIDS epidemics in the world. By the end of 2005, there were five and a half million people living with HIV in South Africa, and almost 1,000 AIDS deaths occurring every day.”

(AVERT, Accessed 5/11/07)

Thailand’s Neighbor Burma Faces “An AIDS Epidemic That Will Soon Eclipse The Worst Situation In Africa.” “Burma is facing an Aids epidemic that will soon eclipse the worst situation in Africa, according to medical experts in Thailand. It’s the worst ever incidence of the disease in the region. United Nations statistics are at least two years out of date and could be understating true infection rates by at least half. Aids specialist Dr Chris Beyrer, a US researcher at the John Hopkins University, says UN figures suggest 2% of adults in Burma have HIV, the virus that can lead to Aids. Dr Beyrer says the figure is nearer 4%.”

(BBC, Accessed 5/11/07)

FACT: Due To The Country’s Past Successes Dealing With The Spread Of HIV, Thailand’s Current AIDS Situation Is Not A “Crisis.”

Cri·sis: Pronunciation: ‘krI-s&s; Function: Noun; “An Unstable Or Crucial Time Or State Of Affairs In Which A Decisive Change Is Impending.”

(Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Accessed 5/10/07)

“UNAIDS Figures Show That The Epidemic … Thailand … Appears To Be Stable Or Diminishing.”

(Lily Hindy, “Asian Medical Experts Appeal For Global Attention To Growing HIV/AIDS Crisis,” The Associated Press, 3/22/07)

The U.S. State Department On Thailand: “HIV/AIDS Was Estimated To Have Infected Approximately 1.5 Percent Of The Population.”

(“Thailand,” States News Service, 3/6/07)

FACT: Thailand’s Current Government Programs Do Not Suggest The Government Believes The Country Is In Crisis.

The United Nations Found That Thailand’s Public Information And AIDS Education Campaigns Were “Faint” And Public Concern About The Disease Had “Ebbed.” “Thailand, which had been considered a ‘global model’ in fighting HIV/AIDS, has ‘lost its momentum’ in its efforts to combat the epidemic, according to a report released on Thursday by United Nations Development Programme. The report, ‘Thailand’s Response to HIV/AIDS,’ says that the country’s public information and education campaigns are ‘faint’; public concern about the disease has ‘ebbed.’”

(Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, “Global Challenges,” 7/8/04)

In The 1980s, When The Thai Government Recognized The Country Faced A Crisis, Public Officials Acted Accordingly. “During the 1980s, Thailand was considered to be ‘on the verge’ of an HIV/AIDS ‘explosion,’ and it was estimated that four million people living with HIV/AIDS would die by 2002. However, the country undertook massive efforts to combat the disease and improved its ‘track record.”

(Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, “Global Challenges,” 7/8/04)

The United Nations On Thailand: “Funding For HIV/AIDS Programs ‘No Longer Matches The Renewed Threat.’”

(Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, “Global Challenges,” 7/8/04

[kluay]

That’s good to know natty Thailand’s HIV Infection Rate Is Relatively Low, it was kinda embarrassing to hear that Thailand is in the middle of an AIDS crisis because we’re famous in the wrong impression with sex trafficking some time I don’t want to tell people where I came from but people usually think that I look like a Korean that’s quite alright with me.
One of my dear friends he was gay die with HIV years ago no one knew about this until 2 years later it broke my heart we know who would want to tell anybody that his or her son die with HIV.

[natty]

i'm sorry to hear about your friend kluay..

you know i'm relatively surprised about switzerland.

[kimberly]

thats true that thailand is in the AIDS crisis cuz i sw the documentary for the PANdemic: AIDS crisis adn thailand is the one where ppl look over adn they dont really have any help for cuz everyone is focused on Africa and fixing that one first

[kluay]

natty, on Jun 11 2007, 05:59 PM, said:

i'm sorry to hear about your friend kluay..

you know i'm relatively surprised about switzerland.

Thanks natty.
Swaziland not Switzerland I thought so too but Swaziland is one of South Africa country I would be super shock if it really is Switzerland.

'everyone is focused on Africa' they should kimberly they can't help themselves the problem is too big not just AID we all know people over there killing each other war still going on in many countries I don't think this problems will sort in Africa ever.

[nambo07]

I'm glad to know that Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is low in Thailand, sigh but the other countries are still having problems with it, I hope they will discover a cure for it in the future.

[deaha]

natty, on Jun 11 2007, 05:59 PM, said:

i'm sorry to hear about your friend kluay..

you know i'm relatively surprised about switzerland.

oh it's SWAZILAND in africa. little different i did a double take too.


****oops! i didn't know kluay already replied..****

This post has been edited by deaha: 14 June 2007 - 05:21 PM

[pragaidow]

Yes I hope too that one day AIDS will diminish. Africa has been hit pretty hard with AIDS due to their lack of adequate sanitations but I am glad to hear that the rate in Thailand is dropping.

[shampoo]

This is good news. Thanks Natty.

[pam]

Very good news..at least the percentage has dropped. Sorry for your friend Kluay..I too have a friend who he is gay and wonder about his health, but he is very fit and works out a lot!! His partner is fit as well, just too bad that they are gay cause both men are very cute and dresses really nice!! I just hope they are healthy atm, don't really wanna lose them.

[yadfon]

i have friend called fon from thailand died just last year from AIDS. she got it from her boyfriend from america.

[ceda_lee]

AIDS...pretty scary stuff...anyone who's lost someone because of AIDS knows what I'm talking about...

[yadfon]

AIDS is so scary...Fon was looking fine till admitted to hospital and dianosed with aids. she died within 2 week and i saw her face when she died. it changed so much and according to the doctor, her organs are mostly dissolved.