UNIVERSAL ACCESS


 National HIV programme and response 

The National Strategic Plan for a Comprehensive and Multisectoral Response to HIV/AIDS (2006-2010) was developed with development partners, civil society organizations and people affected by HIV/AIDS. The Plan has specific objectives and strategies and an operational plan that involves all stakeholders, including the Government, civil society and the private sector. The Plan aims to reduce new HIV infections among at-risk groups, to provide care and treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and to address the socio-economic and human impacts of HIV.

 

In its commitment to provide universal access to treatment and continuum of care for PLWHA, the Cambodian Government has accelerated the de-centralized implementation of the Operational Framework for the Continuum of Care for People Living with HIV/AIDS.

 

The Ministry of Health provides public health services through provincial health departments and operational health districts. From December 2005 to September 2007, the number of facilities that provide ART increased by 60%; there are currently 48 facilities providing ART in Cambodia. In addition, the number of health facilities providing voluntary and confidential counseling and testing increased from 109 in December 2005 to 140 by December 2006. Prevention interventions are carried out by non-profit organizations, and by private and public sector agencies, and have had particular success among high-risk groups, especially female sex workers in brothels.

 

Despite national efforts to address the HIV epidemic, access to health care, treatment and reproductive health services is limited, notably in rural areas where most Cambodians live and migrate from.

 

In 2004, the National AIDS Authority set up a Mobility Working Group on HIV/AIDS, first to address HIV issues among migrants, and second to strengthen government capacity to deal with these issues. In May 2006, the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training issued a regulation, Education of HIV/AIDS, Safe Migration and Labour Rights for Cambodian Workers Abroad. Its objectives are to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS for migrant workers and their families, to provide pre- and post-departure training on HIV/AIDS, and to inform migrants on safe migration and labour rights.

 

In 2006, the Ministry signed an MOU with CARAM Cambodia to provide training on HIV/AIDS to migrant workers, and an MOU with the Cambodian non-profit organization, Legal Support for Children and Women, to provide outgoing migrant workers with training on legal issues and migrants' rights.

 

 

 

 

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