The clinic, which will be known as the 'Wat Phrabatnampo-Center of Hope' is located on the grounds of Wat Phrabatnampo -- Thailand's world-renowned AIDS temple. Since 1992 the temple has been the site for thousands of Thais living with AIDS to receive hospice care.
Now, this famed temple -- where so many have died of AIDS since the onset of the disease will offer new hope for those living with the disease through the care and free antiretroviral treatment that will be provided at the center. Other sites in this collaboration will also be known as 'Centers of Hope,' and each will support the Provincial Government's efforts to expand and the scale- up of delivery of standard antiretroviral treatment, care and support services to those people in need throughout Lop Buri Province.
Suwat Tantipat, Lop Buri Provincial Governor. "I feel pleased for Lop Buri people and HIV patients, as this project gives hope and supports the HIV patients just like its name, 'Center of Hope.' We need both knowledge and understanding in order to support HIV patients. I believe this project will give a better life quality to HIV patients and let them live a normal life once again."
"Thailand is an excellent example of what could be achieved in the fight against HIV/AIDS when given the necessary support," said Henry E. Chang, Chief of Global Affairs, AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
He said that Friday's joint venture with the government and AIDS groups marks another important step toward expanding access to quality HIV/AIDS treatment and care services as well as combating the harsh stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS in Thailand.
In an International Herald Tribune news article late last year, reporter Seth Mydans noted, " ... Since 1984, one million people have been infected in Thailand; 400,000 have died ... the World Bank estimated that without Thailand's vigorous prevention program, a total of 7.7 million people would have become infected." He also reported, " ... Thailand has made little headway in easing a harsh stigma that was fed by its successful campaign against the disease ... " and that, " ... Thailand faces the need for two seemingly contradictory campaigns, one to re-educate the public about the horrors of the disease, the other to reassure it that infected people are not dangerous."
