Abstract

Since 1984, when HIV was first detected in Thailand, almost 1.4 million of the estimated 3.5 million people living with HIV in the WHO South-East Asia Region are on HIV treatment as of 2015. From over 200,000 annual AIDS-related deaths at the peak of the epidemic in 2005, mortality is now down to 130,000 annually. Prevention interventions combined with expansion in treatment have led to a decrease in new infections from over 300,000 a year in 2001 to 180,000 in 2015. Despite low general prevalence, the HIV epidemic in the Region is concentrated among key populations. Of people living with HIV, 99% are found in five member states – India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand. While member states in the Region have made progress in the health-sector response to HIV, more needs to be done and at an increased pace if we are to achieve the 2020 target of 90-90-90.