Health
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health Invites Public to take Advantage of Free HIV Tests
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BANGKOK – The Ministry of Public Health will organize a campaign in July to encourage people to get tested for HIV while reminding that everyone is entitled to two free examinations each year.
As July 1 of every year has been designated the National Voluntary Counseling and Testing Day, Dr Amnuay Kajeena, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, disclosed that the department is cooperating with related agencies and networks to hold a campaign throughout this July to encourage HIV testing among people, especially those with risky behaviors.
The campaign is also aimed to increase people’s awareness of their right to get tested free of charge twice a year while instilling the habit of regular testing among them.
Dr Amnuay pointed out that a number of Thai people tend to feel embarrassed when requesting an HIV test, causing an obstacle in the prevention effort. Based on recent statistics, it is estimated that 47,000 people are still unaware they are HIV positive. Failure to get tested is believed to have resulted in the rate of new infection of 7,000 cases per year.