KUALA LUMPUR: The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a global non-profit provider of HIV/AIDS medical care, has urged Asean to lead the fight in ending the disease as a public health threat in the Asia Pacific region.
Its president Michael Weinstein said Asean’s efforts could significantly make an impact on the global fight against HIV/AIDS, and the foundation – having served over 400,000 clients across 10 Asia Pacific countries – is eager to contribute its expertise.
“By building partnerships with governments, civil society and international agencies and focusing on community-based approaches, Asean can demonstrate that ending AIDS as a public health threat is within reach.
“This progress would save lives, reduce healthcare costs, boost workforce productivity and strengthen communities while setting an example for other regions to follow,” he said in a statement, Bernama reported.
AHF Asia Bureau chief Dr Chhim Sarath expressed pride in the organisation’s collaborations with the majority of Asean countries and their civil society organisations (CSOs).
“As we welcome the new year, we urge Asean and its member states to enhance collaboration and establish robust mechanisms to develop a roadmap to end AIDS in the region with active engagement from CSOs like AHF,” he said.
AHF proposes working through platforms such as the Asean GO-NGOs Forum to promote collaboration, address inequalities, eliminate stigma and discrimination, as well as ensure access to the prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
