Takeo/Kampot, August 2024: The Health Action Coordinating Committee (HACC), with support from the GFATM, in collaboration with the FoNPAM, and DFoNPAM, successfully organized two community forums in Takeo and Kampot provinces.
The first forum, held on August 21st, 2024, at a pagoda in Takeo, brought together over 70 participants, including representatives from relevant departments, commune/Sangkat chief, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and members of key populations such as people living with HIV (PLHIV), and Key Populations (KPs) including men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender (TG), entertainment workers (EW), and people who use drugs (PWUD).
Honorable guests at the event included representatives from the Department of Health, the Department of Planning, the Department of Labor and Vocational Training, HACC, and community representatives. This forum focused on topics related to social protection.
Similarly, in Kampot, HACC, alongside FoNPAM and DFoNPAM, organized a forum focused on addressing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and KPs. Over 80 participants attended, representing local commune/Sangkat leaders, community members, and KPs. The forum featured guest speakers from the AIDS care program, hospitals, health centers, and community members.
Keynotes from social protection
- Commune/Sangkat leaders expressed strong support for providing health equity cards to their communities.
- Participants highlighted the need for more information on social protection schemes to better support those in need
- The poorest members of the community were urged to contact their local commune/Sangkat for information and support.
- The community suggested that the Department of Health should address and improve the behavior of healthcare providers at ART (antiretroviral therapy) sites.
Keynotes from stigma and discrimination
- Participants reaffirmed their commitment to achieving zero deaths, zero new infections, and zero discrimination in line with global goals.
- The forums emphasized the importance of reaching the 95-95-95 targets
- HIV AIDS is not over yet. It is increasing now among young people of MSM and TG
- Based on a recent CLM (Community-Led Monitoring) report, over 80% of stigma and discrimination were reported by community members
- Currently there is high self-stigma and discrimination among PL and KP
The KP also needs law to protect themselves, like law on HIV/AIDS.
These forums underscored the ongoing challenges and critical need for continued efforts to support people living with HIV and key populations, while also addressing the pervasive stigma and discrimination they face.
