World AIDS Day by Thai Red Cross Society | 1 December 2016 | Thailand
For World AIDS Day 2016, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre (TRCARC) brought World AIDS Day to life in the communities by organizing special events to raise awareness of the role that individuals and communities could play in preventing the spread of HIV. The events promoted Free HIV testing and encourage individuals and their partners to know their HIV status at Anonymous Clinic and in the prison in Pathumthani province, and screening and discussion of VD, TB and Hepatitis B & C. Also occurred was activities to disseminate HIV/AIDS information to the public following the UN’s theme for this year’s World AIDS Day which is Hands Up for #HIV Prevention.
Activities
1. Communication through the social media outlets about HIV prevention, testing and treatment
– Online HIV risk reduction message to communicate accurate information about HIV, HIV risk, and ways to prevent both acquisition and transmission
= Promotion of free HIV Testing on World AIDS Day
2. On 1 December 2016, TRCARC joined the official World AIDS Day Celebration at Anonymous Clinic.
– Booth exhibition
– Free HIV testing was offered on World AIDS Day on 1 December
– Black ribbons were distributed
3. Students Debate & Debunk HIV Myths at Tessaban 2 Wat Saneha School in Nakhon Pathom province. This province, located approximately 70 kilometers away to the South of Thailand from Bangkok was chosen for several reasons; the first being that it is one of the zones where TRCARC presently work for Harm Reduction, and the second being that TRCARC wanted to bring our message of HIV/AIDS education to an area with low socio-economic.
4. Prisoners Debate & Debunk HIV Myths at the prison in Prathumthani Province. This province, located approximately 60 kilometers to the North of Thailand from Bangkok was chosen for several reasons; the first being that it is one of the zones where TRCARC presently works for Harm Reduction, and the second being that TRCARC wanted to bring our message of HIV/AIDS education to an area where there is drug use. There were a debate, an exhibition and a quiz session.
Outcomes
• Using of the social networking sites to bridge communication among a diverse range of users, in various geographic and social contexts, leveraged through pre-existing platforms and with attention to the roles of anonymity and confidentiality in communication about HIV prevention and treatment, continues to increase and becomes more widespread.
• 172 people got free HIV testing on World AIDS Day.
• The event was well attended. A total of 1,714 students in the school came including upper secondary school students, teachers, villagers authorities, district government staff and TRCARC staff.
• 100 students and 100 prisoners were able to identify and discuss basic truths and myths surrounding HIV. They highlighted the importance of education as a preventive measure against HIV/AIDS.
• Distributed condoms and lubricant, printed with “PrEP helps prevent HIV” message with the key facts about HIV/AIDS on the back, which promoted practical link between HIV/AIDS and safe sex.
• Students campaigned for World AIDS Day in public by wearing the campaign t-shirts especially produced for the occasion.
• The audience actively engaged with the debate showing laughter and applause. It was expected that this activity helped to increase HIV/AIDS knowledge. It is hoped that people change their attitude and behavior towards people living with HIV (PLHIV) as the drama performance showed people how to support PLHIV.
• Participants in the quiz session demonstrated good knowledge of the HIV/AIDS information presented.
• The materials distributed to the audience and displayed in the exhibition were well received. We hope that the provision of this information helps to provide ongoing support to increase knowledge and change individuals and communities behaviors and attitudes.
Cambodian Red Cross celebrates World AIDS Day 2016
The Cambodian Red Cross always celebrates the World AIDS Day event every year to support the effort of the government and the profound HIV and AIDS activity of its president as the National Champion of the Asia-Pacific Leadership Forum in response to HIV and AIDS in Cambodia. For 2016 World AIDS Day, the CRC celebrated the event with the theme, “Early Test and Early Treat toward stopping AIDS by 2025”.
According to the above-mentioned theme, CRC organized 2016 World AIDS day event in several activities which included:
a. Key message from the CRC’s President for nationally dissemination.
b. 25 Red Cross Branches were encouraged to conduct home visits to PLHIV families by Red Cross Youth and Volunteers.
c. Youth debate at the National TV studio and aired through the National TV before and on 1 December 2016.
d. The health team from the NHQ visited 3 Red Cross branches (Siem Reap, Svay Rieng and Koh Kong provinces) and joined the branches’ activities.
e. The CRC’s NHQ health team conducted HIV/AIDS awareness sessions to several universities in Phnom Penh and Svay Rieng.
Key Activities
1. Key message from CRC’s President
The contents of the CRC’s President message to the public can be summarized as follow:
– Try to understand about the fact of HIV and AIDS and to prevent yourself from HIV infection, in particular all youth and you have to remember that “preventing HIV starts from you”.
– For those who are suspecting of infecting HIV and those who are living with HIV, you have to hurry to have blood test and accept treatment and health services from health centers and hospital. You have to commit not passing HIV to others.
– For pregnant women, you have to hurry to and to regularly have your pregnancy check-up so that you can take ARV preventing spreading HIV to your baby.
– Do not discriminate and look down on the people who are living with HIV. We have to create a supporting environment for risk groups so that they can get health services, social support lawful protection.
– “I would like to appeal for all, in particular youth, that we have to commit ourselves to contribute to HIV prevention and all the times we have to avoid any actions which lead us to be risky to HIV. Everywhere you are, you have to educate your friends to know how to prevent HIV like you do.”
2. Youth debate
For the youth debate, the Cambodian Red Cross held it at the National TV Studio in Phnom Penh on 22 November 2016 and then aired the video spot via all local TV channels from the 25 November to 1 December 2016. This youth debate was held under the specific topic, “Cambodian Youth commit to prevent HIV.” The contents of the youth debate include: Contributing to the achievement of the 90-90-90 by 2020, highlight the youth role model in preventing HIV and AIDS, with the focus on self-esteem and social value, and the joint effort in fighting against HIV and AIDS in Cambodia so far. There were 200 people who attended this youth debate, including 40 Red Cross Volunteers and CRC’s staff. Student representatives from two universities debated on the key questions posted by the speaker panel. The speaker panel includes PLHIV representative, National AIDS Authority, Red Cross people and the media.
3. Home visit to PLHIV families orphanage center
– Totally 435 food packages, including 60 packages supported by the Federation via ART Network, were distributed to PLHIV’s families at their homes within the three provinces of Hoh Kong, Svay Rieng and Siem Reap during November to December 2016.
– Four staff of the CD/NCD sub-department of the National Head Quarters directly went to the three mentioned Red Cross Branches above.
4. CRC’s NHQ health team conducted HIV/AIDS awareness sessions to several universities in Phnom Penh and Svay Rieng
At least six universities, with a total of 4,842 students, were reached during November to December 2016. The six universities include 5 universities in Phnom Penh namely Royal University of Phnom Penh, Asia-Europe University, Royal University of Agriculture, University of Cambodia and Western University and the other university in Svay Rieng which was University of Svay Rieng. Over 60% of the students were females. Deans of each university, and teachers and students were very active and supporting the HIV sessions, plus thanking the Red Cross for such HIV messages dissemination.
Philippine Red Cross Joins World AIDS Day 2016 | 1 December 2016 | Philippines
According to UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS) fact sheet of 2016, globally, roughly 78 million people have become infected with HIV since the start of the epidemic. While approximately 39.8 Million people were living with HIV, and only 17 million of them were accessing antiretroviral therapy. Moreover, about 40.8 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the start of the epidemic.
In the Philippines, as of October 2016, a total of 38,114 cases were recorded since the first case of HIV was diagnosed in January 1984. Of the total cases, 84% were reported from January 2011 to October 2016.
Based on the epidemic trends of National HIV/AIDS & STI Surveillance and Strategic Information Unit, Epidemiology Bureau of the Department of Health (DOH), 26 individuals are estimated to be newly diagnosed with HIV per day.
People Living with HIV do not transmit the virus by handshakes, casual talks, staying in the same room and/or even sharing of utensils while eating. People Living with HIV (PLHIV) are facing bigger issues other than the disease they have acquired but the discrimination and stigma they are encountering.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues to uphold one of its missions as an advocate to halt the spread of HIV and AIDS by raising public awareness. And this resulted in a great number of individuals having already been educated about HIV and AIDS, as well as the process of how to get tested.
Moreover, The PRC fully supports the anti-stigma campaign and conducts programs and activities for its implementation around the organization’s programs and services. As part of moving forward, the PRC foresees that aside from HIV/AIDS knowledge-dissemination campaign, the anti-discrimination and anti-stigma should also be given emphasis. This campaign will protect the rights and privileges of all PLHIVs.
The Movement already has initiated several activities that promote the Zero Discrimination Campaign on HIV/AIDS. Also, the PRC adopts the “Workplace Policy” in accordance with the National and International Law and Conferences that creates a chance for the PLHIV to work and live as usual in PRC environment.
Starting end of November, PRC Chapters nationwide participated in the countdown for 15,000 Hands Up for #HIVprevention. The mechanism of the campaign was on their palms where they wrote their advocacy messages to show support to PLHIVs and to commemorate the people who have died because of HIV and AIDS. They rose their hands up and had their photographs taken, then posted them on their different social media accounts. Also, the Chapters conducted different initiatives in celebration of World AIDS Day such as candle lighting, human ribbon formation, information dissemination on HIV/AIDS, parade/walk, run for a cause, masquerade party, participation in different local HIV/AIDS sector activities.
In this endeavour of the PRC, this battle is not only against the spread of HIV/AIDS, but as well as the issues surrounding it and community involvement is the best method to win it. The PRC will continuously mobilize the Red Cross’ 143 volunteers to visit communities and disseminate information about HIV/AIDS, promote preventive measures, as well as distribute condoms to promote safe sex. Also, PRC will integrate counselling sessions for pre- and post-HIV/AIDS testing on its program. This mission will not only require putting our hands up for HIV prevention but standing up for what the humanity needs.
Featured Video
A video made for the occasion of World AIDS Day 2016 highlighting being against discrimination of HIV-infected people in workplaces.
28th Asian Red Cross and Red Crescent HIV/AIDS Network Meeting & Capacity Building Workshop | 29 November-2 December 2016 | Jakarta, Indonesia
The 28th Asian Red Cross and Red Crescent HIV/AIDS Network (ART) Annual Meeting & Capacity Building Workshop was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 29 November to 2 December 2016.
The ART was established as part of the overall response to the recommendations enshrined in the Beijing Declaration, signed by all National Societies attending the IV Asia Pacific Conference in May 1993. ART is a regional network of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ HIV and AIDS professionals, from South East and East Asia. ART assists to strengthen National Red Cross / Red Crescent Society capacities to deliver and sustain scaled-up HIV programmes which seek to promote the respect of Human Rights in all aspects through the:
- Prevention of further HIV infections
- Expanding HIV care, treatment, and support
- Reducing HIV stigma and discrimination
ART collaborates and cooperates with the Federation and its representatives, Asia Pacific Network of PLHIV (APN+) and other networks in responding to the requests and needs of National Societies in developing strategies and activities which focus on HIV and AIDS within the region.
To learn more about Cambodian Red Cross HIV programme, see this external link.
Objectives of the Meeting:
- To provide operational & financial updates of the Network
- To finalize future plans & directions of the network
- To provide capacity building to ART members
This meeting provided an opportunity for current network officers to report the 2016 ART progress and financial report. This meeting also finalized the networks’ 2017 plans and budget. This year, IFRC supported the meeting in providing capacity building sessions geared towards providing update programmatic activities of IFRC related to HIV prevention.
The meeting was hosted by the Indonesian Red Cross, funded from ART funds and with the contribution of the IFRC. ART Funds comprise of the Annual Contribution of ART Member NS and from the financial support of Japanese Red Cross Society.
The event consisted of:
- Day 1: Capacity Building Workshop
- Day 2: Discussion about ART progress report / operational activities / financial report/ highlights of NS activities in 2016.
- Day 3: 12th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP)/IAS participation report/ Harm reduction training Re-Echo 2016/ ART review and revised TOR and approval
- Day 4: Discussion about the management, visibility, fund raising, proposal development and planning for the 29th ART meeting and evaluation of the ART meeting.
Workshop documents or presentations:
- Introduction to HIV in emergencies [ppt, 0.9 MB]
- Community-based service delivery model [ppt, 1 MB]
- Activity-based costing for health programmes [ppt, 0.5 MB]
- Progress Report of ART 2016 [ppt, 0.09 MB]
- Participation report of 12th International Conference on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific [pdf, 1.9 MB]
- Sharing Experiences HIV Project networking of PMI East Jakarta [pdf, 1.5 MB]
- Participation report of 21st International AIDS Conference [pdf, 5 MB]
- Care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS Lao Red Cross Report Jan – Jun 2016 [pdf, 1.5 MB]
Administrative documents:
For more information, contact: Dr. Pornsak Khortwong at Pornsak.khortwong@ifrc.org
Download:
Out of harm’s way: Injecting drug users and harm reduction (Advocacy report) 2010
Purpose:
This IFRC Health Advocacy Report depicts the stark reality of what it means to be an injecting drug user and living with HIV. It examines the prevention, treatment, care and support needs of this most at-risk population and the IFRC’s response to their plight. It also offers National Societies and the reader an advocacy tool that can be used for years to come. The aim? To remind governments and National Societies of the obligation to respect the human rights of injecting drug users at risk of, or living with, HIV. Although our focus is global, we place a special emphasis on Eastern Europe and Central Asia where the situation is becoming increasingly dire.
Overview:
- Part 1: we discuss about the magnitude of the problem with an at-a-glance situation analysis.
- Part 2: we outline our advocacy messages that address the inhumane conditions injecting drug users and their families all too often find themselves trapped in—gravely ill, stigmatized and alone.
- Part 3: we summarize the Red Cross and Red Crescent’s harm reduction response which is based on the 2003 ‘Spreading the light of science’ guidelines on injecting drug use.
- Part 4: we explore how all stakeholders can work together to adjust policies, establish programmes and reduce harm among some of the world’s most disenfranchised and disadvantaged populations.
Summary:
- Harm reduction refers to a range of pragmatic and evidence-based public health policies and practices aimed at reducing the negative consequences associated with drug use and other related risk factors such as HIV and AIDS. These interventions exemplify human rights in action by seeking to alleviate hazards faced by the injecting drug users, where needed, without distinction and without judgement. The IFRC advocates harm reduction for one very simple reason: It works.
- The United Nations estimates that approximately 15.9 million people living in 148 countries regularly inject drugs. Known as injecting drug users, these individuals are particularly vulnerable to HIV, Hepatitis C and B infections owing to risky behaviours such as sharing syringes and needles, unsafe sex practices and a general lack of health-seeking behaviour. Worldwide, an estimated three million injecting drug users are now living with HIV.
- Injecting drug use thus constitutes a serious public health concern that can only be addressed through the rational application of nonmoralistic public health interventions that emphasize harm reduction programming over punishment and censure.
- In this context, the IFRC recommends that scientific evidence and a humanitarian spirit should guide the HIV response. Injecting drug users, who routinely face harassment, stigmatization, violence and social exclusion, require not only care but compassion as well. Stigma only further marginalizes already vulnerable individuals and directly impedes efforts to halt the spread of HIV. Reducing marginalization also reduces the transmission of HIV and other infectious diseases.
Usage: Advocacy tool
Audience: National Society staff and volunteers
See also: Guidelines on harm reduction related to injecting drug use: Spreading the light of science
Download: http://www.ifrc.org/PageFiles/96733/Harm-reduction-report-EN.pdf
Guidelines on harm reduction related to injecting drug use: Spreading the light of science
Purpose:
The purpose of this document is to outline the rationale for harm reduction programmes. It outlines generic approaches that National Societies can adapt to the realities of their countries in the development and implementation of harm reduction programme and in conducting advocacy for the acceptance and realization such programmes.
Overview:
The guidelines outline the epidemiological data concerning injecting drug use and HIV infection; the increasing drug and injecting drug use; and needle sharing. The human rights, humanitarian and public health rationales as well as cost effectiveness of harm reduction programmes are laid out. Finally, information and possible activities for National Societies are outlined.
Usage:
The guidelines are designed for National Society staff and volunteers working at all levels and for those involved in planning, organizing, implementing and assessing harm reduction programmes, as well as those involved in advocacy. The document also sets out ideas related to programme development, ways to facilitate programme implementation, as well as ways to plan and realize advocacy activities.
Audience: National Society staff and volunteers
See also: Out of harm’s way: Injecting drug users and harm reduction (Advocacy report) 2010
Download: http://www.ifrc.org/PageFiles/96733/Red_Cross_spreading_the_light_of_science.pdf
Federation HIV/AIDS Policy (2002) – HIV
Purpose:
The International Federation HIV/AIDS Policy, 2002, approved by the Governing Board, provides a framework to support National Societies in the implementation of HIV/AIDS related activities. It states, “Guided by sound public health and humanitarian principles, promote and where appropriate facilitate harm reduction strategies for high risk behaviours and traditional practices, including advocacy for law reform as necessary”.
Overview:
The policy includes: the scope of the policy, statement, responsibilities, and references.
Usage: Policy reference
Audience: National Society leadership and staff
Download: https://www.rcrc-resilience-southeastasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/HIV_AIDS_Policy_Adopted_Gov_Board_Nov_2002_edited_en.doc
Innovative strategies using communications technologies to engage gay men and other men who have sex with men into early HIV testing and treatment in Thailand
Purpose:
This document reviews the impact achieved by ‘Adam’s Love’, an integrated public–private sector web-based communications strategy launched by the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre in September 2011. Specific objectives of the strategy included scaling-up early HIV testing and treatment, increasing HIV-related awareness and knowledge, and positively influencing attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours about HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand.
Overview:
Adam’s Love involves a website, social media and web message boards for online counselling, recruitment and appointment making; a club membership programme offering non-financial incentives for HTC; targeted marketing; and collaboration with MSM-friendly clinics and private hospitals to make HTC services more accessible.
Adam’s Love was able to recruit MSM that are at high risk of contracting HIV into HIV testing and counselling (HTC) services. Of the 1,181 MSM who accessed HTC services, almost half did not use condoms consistently and about one-fifth had between five and 20 sexual partners in the previous month. Through the programme, 16% of previously undiagnosed HIV cases were identified.
The majority of MSM recruited online into HTC services in the programme were young (half were 14–25 years old). Online recruitment was a channel to reach out to closet MSM as one-third (34%) were discreet about disclosing their gender identity.
Some evidence suggests that MSM who undergo HTC are likely to return for repeat testing. In fact, 66% of MSM who presented for HTC in the programme had planned to have HIV testing again in the next six months.
With internet-accessing behaviour shifting away from desktops, creating strategies targeting mobile and tablet users is essential.
Usage: Learning from experience
Audience: Communication staff , Health practitioners, Volunteers
Reference: Anand, T., Nitpolprasert, C., Ananworanich, J., Pakam, C., Nonenoy, S., Jantarapakde, J., & Phanuphak, N. (2015). Innovative Strategies Using Communications Technologies to Engage Gay Men and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men Into Early HIV Testing and Treatment in Thailand. Journal of Virus Eradication, 1 (pp. 111-115). Available from: bit.ly/1BR2RM1 [Accessed: 26 December 2015].
Download: https://www.rcrc-resilience-southeastasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Anand_Adams-Love-outcomes_JVE_Apr-2015-2.pdf