Thailand

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Strategic Focus

CDC recently marked 30 years of collaboration with the Thailand Ministry of Public Health. The collaboration produced new disease prevention and intervention strategies that have had significant global impacts,  from the establishment of the Field Epidemiology Training Program in 1980, to current efforts to meet the growing challenges of TB and HIV. 

CDC works closely with the Thai MoPH to develop model approaches and expand prevention, surveillance, and care and treatment of HIV to prevent new HIV infections and improve the quality of life of people living with HIV. This technical assistance helps the Thai MoPH improve laboratory infrastructure, strategic information, HIV care quality, interventions for men who have sex with men (MSM), and care and treatment of children infected with HIV. CDC-Thailand also serves as the Asia Regional Office (ARO), supporting Laos and providing technical assistance to other countries in the region, often including Thai government partners in the collaborations. CDC works to improve HIV programs by building country capacities needed to mount and sustain an effective national HIV response.

Thailand is one of the 22 countries designated as high TB-burden by the World Health Organization (WHO). To improve TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and program management, CDC works with the Thai MoPH providing assistance to other countries throughout the region. A recent multi-country study led to a simple clinical algorithm that health personnel can use to help detect TB in HIV-positive persons.

 

Key Activities and Accomplishments

  • As of 2014, Thailand was hosting more than 118,000 refugees including approximately 110,000 refugees from Myanmar residing in 9 temporary shelters along the Thai‐ Myanmar border, and approximately 8,560 refugees and asylum seekers of various origins living in urban areas across Thailand.
  • Refugees are provided access to HIV prevention, care and treatment through activities supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners, under the umbrella of the Royal Thai Government. Refugees and asylum seekers have access to male condoms.
  • Comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and treatments have also been offered to the refugees, with almost 100 people living in temporary shelters and 11 people living in Bangkok have received ART as per Thailand’s National Guidelines on HIV/AIDS Diagnosis and Treatment.
  • In 2014 United Nations High Commissions for Refugees (UNHCR) has developed contacts and facilitated exchange of information between the Myanmar national AIDS program and the NGO’s working in Thailand. A referral protocol has been established.

More Information

Page last reviewed: July 20, 2016
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention