Page 18 - EPREP book

CBO, PrEP is not among the top priority among this population as there are other significant

competing priorities in PWID lives.

Policy recommendations

The national PrEP implementation for populations with substantial risk is essential to increase
number of PrEP users resulting in reducing the number of new HIV-infected individuals and

ending AIDs in 2030 in Thailand. The research team proposed policy recommendations as
follows.

1. NHSO should consider including PrEP as comprehensive HIV prevention methods into
the universal health coverage scheme (UHC) for substantial risk population at 18 years

old or older or between 15-18 years old among individuals who engaged in HIV risk

behaviors and interest in taking PrEP.
2. The number of PrEP service centers under KPLHS with high potential and standard in

delivering PrEP service certified by the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of

Public Health especially in provinces or settings with high HIV prevalence should be
increased. In terms of service distribution, there should be at least one PrEP center in

each province from 2022 onwards. The CBOs reach-recruit to hospitals model should
be encouraged in reaching and recruiting more potential PrEP clients.

3. More support of operation coverage including subsidizing the cost of medications to

enable same-day PrEP, increasing coverage of additional necessary laboratory tests e.g.
HIV testing, anti-HCV, renal function tests for indicated cases, providing lubricants and

condoms at required sizes, and annual PrEP training to new service providers as well
as refresher trainings every 2-3 years should be considered.

4. The Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health should promote
knowledge about PrEP via multiple communication platforms focusing on key

populations including MSMs, sex works (SWs), adolescents with potential high risk,

serodiscordant couples, PWIDs to improve public understanding and increase access
to wider populations. Advertisement of PrEP service centers locating nearby homes,

workplaces to facilitate potential PrEP users in accessing to service is also crucial.
5. Due to limited PrEP uptake among people who injects drugs (PWIDs), the government

should consider providing additional support to improve access among this key

population such as integrating PrEP services into venues PWID access and having

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