National HIV programme and response 

 

The National Strategic and Action Plan on HIV/AIDS and STI 2006-2010 developed by the National Committee for the Control of AIDS aims to expand national capacity for universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support. Priority areas include: expanding HIV counseling and testing services and data collection, monitoring, evaluation and surveillance mechanisms; strengthening prevention campaigns; increasing condom use; and building capacity of implementing agencies.

 

The Plan targets vulnerable groups, including sex workers and their clients, mobile populations, drug users, MSM and young people. Regarding HIV and mobility, the Plan aims to: raise HIV risk awareness among mobile populations and their families; provide pre-departure and post-arrival information and counseling at selected border crossings; promote behaviour change and increase condom use; provide confidential STI services; establish and strengthen voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and referral services; and build local authorities' capacity to support mobile populations and their families.

 

The Plan expects that by 2010, 5% of mobile men and their partners will use VCT services, 75% of migrant men will use condoms, and that STI prevalence among mobile men will be reduced by 50%.

 

Companies sending Lao workers overseas must meet receiving countries' immigration requirements. HIV testing of migrants before departure is carried out with informed consent, counseling and confidentiality. The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare recently approved a pre-departure orientation regulation that mandates labour export companies to provide HIV/AIDS education for outgoing documented migrant workers.

 

Overall, national progress in addressing the HIV epidemic has been noted in STI prevention and treatment, communication for behaviour change, peer education, life skills training in school, and community based interventions. In addition, the 100% Condom Use Programme has been expanded and covers 14 provinces. VCT services are available in 17 provinces and 16 districts, and drop-in centres have been established in five provinces with services targeting sex workers and MSM.

 

However, access to care remains limited and HIV awareness is low. In addition, Lao PDR experiences coordination challenges and lacks comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems.

 

 

 

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