At a time when HIV is still spreading steadily across the globe, we are also witnessing progress in controlling this deadly disease. Responses to the AIDS epidemic have grown and improved considerably over the last few years. The objective of this E-bulletin is to circulate AIDS-related news, publications, literature and research to affiliated unions and others working in this field. It is a part of our new Global HIV/AIDS project, which is targeting ITF affiliates all over the globe. Get involved! For further information and queries please contact Dr. Syed Asif Altaf, Global HIV/AIDS Project Coordinator, Altaf_Asif@itf.org.uk or the Regional Education Coordinator in your ITF region, ITF Education Department: education@itf.org.uk .

This issue of the E-bulletin will look back at a report from Thailand where ITF affiliates visited a hospice who takes care of terminally ill suffering from AIDS; a report from Brazil about distribution of condoms during the biggest carnival in the world. The issue will also focus on a new antiretroviral drug developed by Pfizer that can work as microbicide to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.

ITF’s Thai affiliates provided support to people living with HIV/AIDS

There are very few developing countries in the world where public policy has been effective in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS on a national scale, but Thailand is an exception. A massive programme to control HIV has reduced visits to commercial sex workers by half, raised condom usage, decreased the prevalence of STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) dramatically, and achieved substantial reductions in new HIV infections. During the late 1980s, explosive epidemics of HIV among sex workers and injecting drug users threatened to spiral out of control -- sparking off a major AIDS epidemic. In 1988, infection rates among injecting drug users rose alarmingly from zero to 30% over six months. A year later, the national HIV surveillance system revealed that in the northern city of Chiang Mai, 44% of sex workers were infected with HIV.  But with a strong commitment from the government and active participation of the Thai people, the scenario changed quite dramatically. 

ITF’s affiliates in Thailand have been active in implementing awareness programmes for their members since the beginning of the epidemic in the country.  As a part of ITF’s long term campaign on HIV/AIDS, the ITF’s Thai affiliates has recently conducted a day long field visit to Wat Phrabatnumpu  (Phrabatnumpu  Temple) in Lopburi Province (Central Part of Thailand) where the people living with HIV/AIDS are taken care of. 

Around 250 participants from 4 unions (most of them are from BMTA-SWU, and the rest came from TRAN U., AOT-SWU and SRUT) joined this trip to know more care and support programmes conducted by Buddist monks in Thailand. They also had a discussion session with the people who are suffering from AIDS gave them inspiration and donated lots of necessary stuff and money (Thai Bhat 118,104/US$ 3000.00).

Brazil to distribute 19.5 Million condoms during carnival

The Ministry of Health in Brazil plans to distribute about 19.5 million condoms before the end of carnival in first week of February in an effort to reduce the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Health Minister Jose Gomes Temporao during the launch of the condom-distribution programme at a cultural centre in Rio de Janeiro said the government has to "let society know the importance of prevention." According to a recent health ministry survey, about 80% of young men in the country reported using condoms, compared with 40% of young women. Church officials in the country, which has the largest Roman Catholic population worldwide, opposed the condom-distribution programme, as well as another program in the Brazilian city Recife that will distribute emergency contraception during Carnival. "The church has nothing against having fun during Carnival, but the banalization of human sexuality is something we cannot tolerate," Bishop Antonio Augusto Dias Duarte of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops' Life and Family Commission, said, adding that the programmes "will only serve to diminish inhibitions and encourage orgiastic behaviour." About 600,000 Brazilians are living with HIV/AIDS, and about 200,000 have access to antiretroviral drugs.