P01.06 Roles of ngos/csos in hiv/aids prevention, treatment, care and support for mobile population in greater mekong sub-regions

Abstract

Introduction Thailand is a major destination for labour markets in Greater Mekong regions. Health services and medical treatment particularly HIV/AIDS treatment are important areas where migrant workers and their dependents have fallen through the cracks for both official and unofficial migrants working in Thailand. For official migrants there are Migrants health insurance package which cover the health services, Anti-Retroviral Treatment however for unofficial migrants is a huge obstacles and fear in accessing health care services. Civil Society Organisations in Thailand have attempted to fill some of these gaps particularly for unofficial migrants in HIV/AIDS prevention related to HIV and AIDS in mobile populations. Methods Around 50 CSOs/NGOs in Greater Mekong Subregions including countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and China were contacted to participate in the project "Strengthening CSOs/NGOs in HIV/AIDS for Mobile Population in Greater Mekong Sub-regions" to help labour migrants access HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support. These NGOs were involved in capacity building of PLHIV peer networks, cross border meetings, cross learning visits to learn and share good practices in the region. Results Almost 40 CSOs/NGOSs were participated in the project with an aim to help unofficial migrants access HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support. There are informal referral assisted by NGOs/CSOs. However, migrants with very low income are unable to afford to pay for and hence do not take medicine regularly. NGOs/CSOs shared their experiences and recommendations on making freely available Anti-Retroviral Therapy available in the source, transit and destination. Conclusion HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support services should be available to migrants despite of their nationality and mobility. This requires policy level changes to scale up migrant's friendly referrals and communication approach in terms of ARVs treatment.