Thailand remains committed to working with other partners to end the AIDS epidemic in the region. Speaking to UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé on 27 October in Bangkok, Thailand, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha emphasized that Thailand will maintain its efforts in the HIV response and will share its experience with neighbouring countries and the world. He also stressed that Thailand’s commitment to the three zeroes—zero new HIV-infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths—is absolutely unwavering.

Through its innovative Ending AIDS by 2030 strategy, on 1 October the country became the first in Asia to offer life-saving treatment to everyone living with HIV. Documented and undocumented migrants can access a similar package of services. The Prime Minister said that globalization and migrant labour is a reality and there is a need to ensure that no one is left behind.

Mr Sidibé congratulated the Prime Minister for Thailand’s innovation and remarkable progress in placing people at the centre of the AIDS response. “Thailand showed that with commitment and vision it is possible to reach the three zeroes,” said Mr Sidibé. “We see Thailand as a strong transformative force for social justice in the AIDS response.”

Mr Sidibé is on a two-day trip to the country, during which he is meeting government leaders and key civil society organizations.

In 2013, Thailand estimates that almost 460 000 people were living with HIV, which is a 33% reduction since 2000. There were 8256 new HIV infections in 2013, which was a reduction of 71% from 2000, and nearly 21 000 people died of AIDS-related causes, which was a decrease of 62% since 2000. 

Myanmar’s Minister for Health, Than Aung, confirmed during a meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, J.V.R. Prasada Rao, that domestic funding for HIV treatment will be increased by US$ 5 million. Mr Rao completed a five-day visit to Myanmar on 17 October, in which he focused on supporting the country’s efforts to rapidly and effectively scale up its AIDS programme.

There were 190 000 people living with HIV and 6700 new HIV infections in Myanmar in 2013. More than 65 000 people were receiving HIV treatment in 2013 and the Ministry of Health estimates the new funding will enable 40 000 additional people living with HIV to access antiretroviral medicine and will increase the national HIV treatment target coverage to 85%. The Minister of Health has asked his staff to work with UNAIDS to determine the cost of reaching 100% coverage.

Mr Rao welcomed Myanmar’s commitment to the HIV response and said, “The government is showing remarkable leadership in its national AIDS response and I ask the country’s leaders to extend strong support to the goal of ending AIDS by 2030. This goal must be a part of the sustainable development goals on health, which countries will adopt in 2015.”

The Minister of Health also pledged an additional US$ 1 million to further scale up opioid substitution therapy for 10 000 people by the end of 2016. Studies show that harm reduction programmes such as needle–syringe exchange programmes and opioid substitution therapy are effective in reducing the spread of HIV.

In Myanmar, key populations, including people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender people, are at higher risk of HIV infection. Mr Rao urged the government to amend policies that violate the human rights of key populations and praised the country’s draft intellectual property law, which will help protect access to affordable medicines.

During his mission Mr Rao met other top officials, including the Attorney General, Tun Shin, the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Kyaw Kyaw Htun, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thant Kyaw. He also met with Aung San Suu Kyi, Chairperson of the National League for Democracy and Member of Parliament, who expressed her support for efforts to reform laws and policies.  

Mr Rao also met civil society representatives from key populations while participating in a panel discussion on the sustainable development goals and HIV. 

Prominent African leaders and stakeholders spoke about the importance of national funding for health during a high-level side event at the African Development Forum, held in Marrakesh, Morocco, from 12 to 16 October. The participants at the side event, A New Paradigm in Health Financing, agreed on the urgent need to adopt innovative financing mechanisms for health. The focus of funding for health is shifting in Africa from a reliance on international funding to an emphasis on sustainable domestic investment. This will involve increasing domestic resources and spending funds strategically.

Speakers pushed for a new financial model, one built on shared responsibility and partnerships rather than charity. Participants called for increased domestic health spending that can be sustained over time to address health priorities in Africa. In their view, developing innovative financing solutions and making smart investments for better health returns would put Africa in a position to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Three strategic action pillars were identified to fast track the implementation of priorities: health governance, diversified financing and access to medicines. The continent is already moving in the right direction, participants noted. Several countries are developing more robust, inclusive and results-focused national strategies and related investment cases that provide a solid framework for domestic investments in health. 

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