Getting to zero new infections
According to UNAIDS in 2012, there were 35.3 million people living with HIV worldwide. Since the start of the epidemic around 75 million have become infected with HIV. Whilst new HIV infections have fallen by 33% since 2001 there is no room for complacency and there is an ongoing war to maintain the trend with the ultimate goal of eradicating the HIV AIDS epedemic
World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.
Chiang Mai has a significant population of MSM (Men who have Sex with Men) and the prevalence of MSM with HIV has been on the rise in the last few years with figures peaking at 25% (for Bangkok Chiang Mai and Phuket) in 2008 and subsequently declining (HIV Incidence among Gay, Bisexual Men, and Transgender Persons in Northern Thailand and Thailand AIDS Response Progress Report 2012:). I suspect most of us living here know people who have succumbed to the disease. The problem in Chiang Mai is exacerbated by the presence of overlapping high risk groups of MSM, male sex workers and migrant workers, mainly from Burma’s Shan state.
In Chiang Mai the main organisation spearheading the drive towards reducing HIV infections in MSM/MSW, and providing support for HIV positive men in Chiang Mai is M Plus Foundation
Mplus+ is a non-profit organization based in Chiang-Mai, Thailand, which works primarily to promote sexual health for men who have sex with men (MSM). Mplus+ was founded by USAID in 2004, after reports of increased HIV/AIDS prevalence among the MSM population in Northern Thailand. Although male sex workers (self-identified as gay or heterosexual) are their most important target group, Mplus+ also serves the gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender communities.
Adams Love is Thailand’s official MSM website and the source of HIV/AIDS information for Men who have Sex with Men in Thailand. Fashion photography, videos, images, podcasts, text, art posters and peer support chat to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, prevention, treatment, care and support. Learn safe sexual practices for gay men.
Adams Love is run by the Thai Red Cross AIDS research centre. The Thai Red cross also provides the anonymous clinic offering HIV testing. In Chiang Mai the Red Cross center is located on the river close to the American Consultate, or the Piman Center also provides HIV testing for MSM
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