Cambodia National AIDS Authority Announces AIDS Strategy

The National AIDS Authority of Cambodia on Wednesday released its National Strategic Framework for a Comprehensive and Multisectoral Response to HIV/AIDS 2001-2005, Xinhua News Agency reports. The plan, which aims to increase HIV/AIDS awareness in order to reduce the number of new infections and "alleviate the socioeconomic and human impact" of the disease, was unveiled by NAA Chair Hong Sunhout at an anti-AIDS seminar. Estimated HIV prevalence among Cambodian adults ages 15 to 49 has "stead[ily] declin[ed]" from 3.9% in 1997 to 2.8% in 2001, but with 169,000 reported HIV cases, Cambodia is still the "worst affected country" in the region. According to the report, HIV prevalence is twice as high among men versus women and is "much higher" in urban areas compared to rural districts. A "[b]etter understanding" of the epidemic and "increased recognition" of the disease's possible impact on security and economic development have spurred the government to give "priority attention" to the issue, observers said (Xinhua News Agency, 6/20). The new plan will "form the basis of a unified U.N. response" to the disease. Dominique McAdams, U.N. resident coordinator for Cambodia, said that 200,000 Cambodians could develop full-blown AIDS in the coming decade (Reuters, 6/20).