In Ranong there is a high rate of HIV AIDS due to poverty, trafficking, desperation and lack of education. Marist Asia Foundation responds to the needs of those who are sick with HIV AIDS and those who are caring for them.
HIV AIDS has been a serious issue in Thailand since its prevalence in the 1980’s. It is estimated that 1.12% of the countries adult population (ages 15-49) are infected with the virus, placing them 42nd on the country comparison when measured against the rest of the world (CIA World Fact Book, 2015). However, with approximately 438,100 confirmed cases across the country, Thailand has the highest number of confirmed AIDS cases in Southeast Asia (CIA World Fact Book, 2015).
The International AIDS-HIV charity Art reports that Thailand is an example of a country where a strong national commitment to tackling the HIV and AIDS epidemic has paid off, with an admirable history of HIV prevention efforts. However, some of these past prevention successes are starting to be undermined by a current lack of HIV prevention and rising STD rates.
Marist Asia Foundation (MAF) provides a HIV AIDS Health Project which includes:
- Patients home visitation
- Community Based HIV AIDS Patient Health Programme
- Translation and access to hospital services
- Emotional and spiritual support
- Community Based Social and Health Education work with families and the Burmese community
Recently, Fr Kevin Medilo SM and an outreach worker visited a family where the 6 year old boy is HIV positive, but his two siblings are negative. Their mum died two years ago from HIV while their father is also positive and works on the fishing boat. So the children are primarily cared for by their grandmother. Their grandfather has now been forced to work again to care for family. They live in a small raised wooden hut and during king tides the whole area around them floods. During the visit, Fr Kevin was able to deliver some nutritious food for the 6 year old boy to help stave off the advancement of HIV AIDS. This is a common story across Ranong for those with HIV AIDS, but with Lenity Australia and Maris Mission Centre’s support of the Marist Asia Foundation, they are rallying around those most in need to provide help and support.