“The Ministry of Public Health has been implementing a policy to provide HPV vaccinations to Thai women aged 11–20, both within and outside the education system,” Dr Sunthorn explained. “We’ve now expanded this to include female university students who haven’t previously been vaccinated.”
HPV is a leading cause of cervical cancer, one of the most prevalent cancers among Thai women.
“On behalf of the BMA, I’m delighted to support STI prevention and boost immunity to reduce illness and mortality from cervical cancer,” he added.
The AIDS and STIs Division of the MOPH’s Department of Disease Control, in conjunction with the BMA and its network partners, has designed the “Equality with Safety” campaign to bolster systematic HIV and STI prevention measures.
A key objective is to provide the public with convenient, rapid, and comprehensive access to HIV and STI screening, diagnosis, and care services for all target groups.
The initiative also advocates for individuals to choose prevention methods best suited to their needs.
This includes emphasising the correct and consistent use of condoms during all sexual encounters and exploring supplementary measures such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV, along with continued HPV vaccination. These steps are crucial for promoting self-care, enhancing quality of life, and ensuring safety.