BANGKOK, 2 July 2013 – As the 1st of July is observed as the day of national campaign against HIV/AIDS, the Ministry of Public Health is launching mobile units to provide free blood tests throughout this month.
Public Health Minister Dr.Pradit Sintavanarong said free blood tests are being provided every Sunday at two department stores in Bangkok’s suburban areas. At The Mall Ngamwongwan the tests are provided on the 7th, 14th and 21st of July while at the Future Park, Rangsit free blood tests will be provided on the 28th of July 2013.
The Minister indicated that if people in risk groups take blood tests regularily, the risk of transmitting HIV to others will be reduced by 96%. He therefore stressed the need of accelerating the campaign to promote regular blood tests, especially among homosexual couples.
In the campaign, the Ministry, in cooperation with the AIDS Access Foundation of the Thai Red Cross Society and the AIDS Protection Unit is raising public awareness on the dangers of AIDS and possibilities for infections. If sufficient care and protection are not taken, he said, Thailand may risk facing reemerging of infectious HIV/AIDS disease.
Each year the number of AIDS infections increases by of 12,000 cases, and 30% of male same sex lovers transmit the disease to their partners unknowingly. The government’s campaigns are urging the public especially, male same sex risk groups to have their blood tests every 6 months. An improved technology in the field has allowed results of blood tests to be known within 2 hours.
