Govt urged to back bloodtests campaign

Free blood tests offered by the Thai Red Cross between November 30 and December 1, 2012, found that 3.6 per cent of the those tested were HIV positive. The tests were offered at five Bangkok malls, with 432 men and 256 women tested.

The free blood tests were held to mark World Aids Day.

Aids Research Centre director Dr Prapan Panupak yesterday urged members of the public to get tested for HIV so they could receive advice about how to protect themselves against the virus, or timely treatment if needed. He said that all government hospitals offered free blood tests twice a year, while advice was available by calling the hotline 1663 between 10am and 8pm.

Aids Access Foundation director Nimit Tian-udom urged the government to support a campaign for people to get their blood tested.