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Published on October 11, 2007

 In 2005, some 6,399 cases or 38.7 per cent of new infections were married couples. Last year, the figure was 7,000 or 40 per cent of new cases.

Women are most at risk of getting HIV from partners through unprotected sex.

The survey showed the rate of new infection cases of men who have sex with men, men infected from sex workers, and men infected by their partner was 22 per cent, 11 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively.

The survey also found that 44 to 52 per cent of couples had unprotected sex.

The DCD said the Public Health Ministry plans to provide 20 million condoms to couples living with HIV/Aids in hospitals across country after it found the rate of new infections rose to 40 per cent last year.

DCD chief Dr Thawat Suntrajarn said the agency had an action plan to prevent new HIV infections, particularly for couples. The department would provide 10 condoms per month to people living with HIV/Aids and they would also get anti-viral drugs. This service would be free.

Thawat said that for people living with HIV/Aids still not showing any symptoms, the agency would encourage them and their partners to undertake a screening test and also provide 10 condoms per month.

Meanwhile, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) is seeking to work with an Indian drug company to build a plant to produce antiviral drugs to treat people with the disease.

The GPO's managing director Dr Witit Artavakun said the agency was collaborating with Hetero Drugs to build a drug plant in Thailand.

The Indian company would provide knowledge and technology to build the plant, which would follow World Health Organisation standards.

He said the plan could produce 80 million to two billion tablets a year - enough to provide patients around the country. The GPO would provide Bt850 million for the plant at Klong 10 in Pathum Thani. It was expected to be finished within 18 months, he said.

Pongphon Sarnsamak

 The Nation