MSM Groups at Risk from HIV and AIDS
BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) groups now are faced with a high epidemic rate of HIV /AIDS because they have unprotected sex, by not using a condom. Te risks of contracting HIV or AIDS are very high according to the National MSM Network officials. And could seriously have an affect on the country’s society.
Authority (NAA), said that there are concerns over the groups of MSM, and the high rate in Cambodia of people having sex without the use of a condom that can lead to HIV or AIDS.
Dr. Sam An continued to say that according to NAA’s report and research, there are between 20,000 and 30,000 MSM people living in 24 cities and provinces in which 8.7 percent of them have got HIV.
“I am now very concerned about the epidemic of HIV/AIDS among the MSM in Cambodia. Most of them now are still having sex without the use of condoms and these behaviors are very risky for them because they will contract HIV and AIDS and spread it to their partners and families,” he told the National MSM Network Working Group, that Meet on March 25th in Phnom Penh.
To prevent and reduce the spreads of HIV and AIDS, he called on all people especially MSM people to use a condom while having sex in order to prevent them from being affected from HIV or AIDS in the future. He also encouraged the MSM groups to get their blood tested at the health centers, NGOs clinics or hospitals in order that they will be able to prevent their partners or families from being infected from viruses.
Sem Sokha, MSM Coordinator of the National MSM Network Working Group, said that MSM are at high risk for HIV/AIDS in Cambodia.
He stated that the discrimination and stigma against MSM also makes most of them try to seek help for HIV/AIDS and STT prevention for care and social services.
He pointed out so far the National AIDS Authority and the National MSM Networking and other involved NGOs have been working very hard in training, advocacy and trying to help people affected by the diseases.
He added that the National AIDS Authority has also established five strategies of the National Strategic Framework on HIV/AIDS and STT for MSM. The five strategies included prevention of a new HIV infection among MSM, mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on HIV positive MSM and their partners and their families, build and sustain an environment that supports HIV/AIDS and STI programs for MSM, strengthen the capacity of partners, and improve the collection and the use of strategic information. ///
Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) groups now are faced with a high epidemic rate of HIV /AIDS because they have unprotected sex, by not using a condom. Te risks of contracting HIV or AIDS are very high according to the National MSM Network officials. And could seriously have an affect on the country’s society.
Authority (NAA), said that there are concerns over the groups of MSM, and the high rate in Cambodia of people having sex without the use of a condom that can lead to HIV or AIDS.
Dr. Sam An continued to say that according to NAA’s report and research, there are between 20,000 and 30,000 MSM people living in 24 cities and provinces in which 8.7 percent of them have got HIV.
“I am now very concerned about the epidemic of HIV/AIDS among the MSM in Cambodia. Most of them now are still having sex without the use of condoms and these behaviors are very risky for them because they will contract HIV and AIDS and spread it to their partners and families,” he told the National MSM Network Working Group, that Meet on March 25th in Phnom Penh.
To prevent and reduce the spreads of HIV and AIDS, he called on all people especially MSM people to use a condom while having sex in order to prevent them from being affected from HIV or AIDS in the future. He also encouraged the MSM groups to get their blood tested at the health centers, NGOs clinics or hospitals in order that they will be able to prevent their partners or families from being infected from viruses.
Sem Sokha, MSM Coordinator of the National MSM Network Working Group, said that MSM are at high risk for HIV/AIDS in Cambodia.
He stated that the discrimination and stigma against MSM also makes most of them try to seek help for HIV/AIDS and STT prevention for care and social services.
He pointed out so far the National AIDS Authority and the National MSM Networking and other involved NGOs have been working very hard in training, advocacy and trying to help people affected by the diseases.
He added that the National AIDS Authority has also established five strategies of the National Strategic Framework on HIV/AIDS and STT for MSM. The five strategies included prevention of a new HIV infection among MSM, mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on HIV positive MSM and their partners and their families, build and sustain an environment that supports HIV/AIDS and STI programs for MSM, strengthen the capacity of partners, and improve the collection and the use of strategic information. ///
Comments
Thank you very much for sharing the minutes on quarterly meeting (NMSMTWG Meeting) of 25 March 2010 at Sunway Hotel through your blogger.
First of all, I would like to introduce myself to you that I, Ms. Sokha Sem, who had been a formal MSM Coordinator for National Technical Working Group for Men having with Men (NMSMTWG) at National AIDS Authority (NAA) was female (She) but not male (He) as mentioned in this blogger. Taking this time, I have a few comments on the minutes. During the workshop at Sunway Hotel, I said ‘stigma and discrimination against MSM make most of them NOT to try to seek for HIV/AIDS, and STI prevention, care and social support services. Consequently, MSM are at high risk for HIV/AIDS’.
I wish I could give more comments on this. At the time being, it is also very sorry that I already resigned from NAA. However, please be informed that all of the minutes of NMSMTWG had as well been kept with me since the beginning. I am not sure whether I can be allowed to be of your help.
I wish I will be able to further work for the government in future to share knowledge/skills and experiences that I have gained from Schools/Universities and some working places locally and internally.
Yours sincerely,
Ms. Sokha Sem
Email: sem.sokha@yahoo.com