AIDS kills over 1,000 in Laos
(KPL) Over 1,000 people have died of AIDS in the country over the past nine years (1990-2009) and it is estimated that the number of HIV infected people would reach 7,000 over the half decade, said an official.
The HIV infection is attributed to unsafe sex, according to Director of Centre for HIV/AIDS/STD Dr. Chansy Phimphachanh.
"At present, AIDS has increased on an annual basis. Vientiane, ranking the second province with the largest number of HIV/AIDS infected people after Savannakhet, has 3,659 people dying and infected with HIV/AIDS since 1990," said the official.
One thousand and thirty-eight people have reportedly died of AIDS in Vientiane over the past nine years.
Most of the infected are men, accounting for 66 per cent of the entire infected. However, the HIV infection for women has increased by one per cent annually.
Savannakhet province has 1,431 people infected with HIV/AIDS and Champassak says it has 357 people with HIV/AIDS.
One of the most high risk groups of HIV/AIDS is migrant workers who usually avoid using condom when having sex with call girls.
"Everyone should pay attention to preventive measures against HIV/AIDS infection such as condom use and safe sex. If doubtful to be infecting with HIV/AIDS seeing doctor is advisable," said the doctor.
Laos has a low rate of infection of HIV/AIDS as compared to other countries in the world.
The percentage of HIV/AIDS infection for general people is 0.2 per cent. That of prostitute is 0.4 and that of men who have sex with men is 2.5 per cent. Meanwhile the HIV/AIDS infection amongst drug users is 1.5 per cent.
Since 2003, the Ministry of Public Health has received antiretroviral (ARV) drugs from the World Fund and it has distributed to the Savannakhet Provincial Hospital, Mahosot Hospital, Setthathirath Hospital, Luang Prabang Province Hospital and Champassak Province Hospital.
The 9th Ordinary Session of the National Assembly’s Sixth Legislature approved a law on AIDS.
But this legal document is waiting for endorsement by the Lao President.
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