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Laos: Difference between revisions
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* In | * In Laotian cities and towns, you can find '''condoms''' in many stores and minimarts. You can also buy condoms online from local sellers, like [https://www.facebook.com/VTE5555/ Yes Condom Vientiane], which sells 3-piece packs of Durex condoms for 10,000 kip, 6-piece packs of SixSex condoms for 35,000 kip and 24-piece packs of SixSex condoms for 100,000 kip (as of June 2017). If you send them a message on Facebook, they'll give you more details. Note that online sellers of condoms tend to be more expensive than physical stores. | ||
* You can purchase '''oral contraceptives (birth control pills)''' at pharmacies. No prescription is required. Some of the brands you can expect to see are Anna and Preme, which are both produced by Thai Nakorn Patana (a Thai pharmaceutical company).<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=LA IPPF Laos]</ref> Some locals have warned against purchasing medications from China or Vietnam, since they may be lower-quality or unreliable.<ref>[https://www.travelfish.org/beginners_detail/laos/21 Awkward healthcare questions in Laos]</ref> | * You can purchase '''oral contraceptives (birth control pills)''' at pharmacies. No prescription is required. Some of the brands you can expect to see are Anna and Preme, which are both produced by Thai Nakorn Patana (a Thai pharmaceutical company).<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=LA IPPF Laos]</ref> Some locals have warned against purchasing medications from China or Vietnam, since they may be lower-quality or unreliable.<ref>[https://www.travelfish.org/beginners_detail/laos/21 Awkward healthcare questions in Laos]</ref> | ||
** One local health care professional says (June 2017): "OC pills are widely available in most pharmacies and from public and private hospitals, even in rural areas. The brands will vary and providers may not stock consistent problems [sic: brands]. This can be an issue because it means that women may not always be able to find the brand that they are used to, especially in areas where the outlet may be bringing the drugs in from Thailand, Vietnam, China, etc. A lot of providers just drive over the border to buy their stocks."<ref>[Online Conversation with Health Care Professional]</ref> | ** One local health care professional says (June 2017): "OC pills are widely available in most pharmacies and from public and private hospitals, even in rural areas. The brands will vary and providers may not stock consistent problems [sic: brands]. This can be an issue because it means that women may not always be able to find the brand that they are used to, especially in areas where the outlet may be bringing the drugs in from Thailand, Vietnam, China, etc. A lot of providers just drive over the border to buy their stocks."<ref>[Online Conversation with Health Care Professional]</ref> | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Laos, there are no travel or residency restrictions related to HIV status.<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=103 LAOS - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref> This means that, if you're a foreigner entering Laos, you | In Laos, there are no travel or residency restrictions related to HIV status.<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=103 LAOS - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref> This means that, if you're a foreigner entering Laos (whether as a tourist, student, worker or prospective resident), you won't be asked for a medical certificate certifying your HIV status. Furthermore, if you test positive for HIV in Laos, you shouldn't be deported from the country. However, if you're pregnant and receive prenatal care, or if you're a foreigner who wants to marry a Lao national, you'll probably need to take an HIV test.<ref>[Online conversations with Vientiane locals]</ref> It's typically mandatory in these cases. | ||
There are an estimated 11,000 people with HIV living in Laos.<ref>[http://www.aidsdatahub.org/Country-Profiles/Lao-PDR Lao PDR - Key Facts on HIV]</ref> While this number is lower than neighboring countries, such as [[Thailand]] or [[Cambodia]], HIV rates are on the rise with about 1000 new cases being reported each year, leading to the claim that there's currently a "Lao epidemic." The highest risk groups tend to be sex workers, transgender people, injection drug users, and MSM (men who have sex with men).<ref>[https://www.unicef.org/laos/activities_22357.html Laos - HIV/AIDS]</ref> <ref>[http://www.wpro.who.int/laos/topics/hiv/en/ Lao People's Democratic Republic - HIV]</ref> As the Laotian borders have opened up in the recent years, the country is seeing higher rates of transmission among foreigners, migrant workers and injection-drug users along the borders as well.<ref>[http://www.irinnews.org/report/94374/laos-looming-threat-catching-hiv-prevalence | There are an estimated 11,000 people with HIV living in Laos.<ref>[http://www.aidsdatahub.org/Country-Profiles/Lao-PDR Lao PDR - Key Facts on HIV]</ref> While this number is lower than neighboring countries, such as [[Thailand]] or [[Cambodia]], HIV rates are on the rise with about 1000 new cases being reported each year, leading to the claim that there's currently a "Lao epidemic." The highest risk groups tend to be sex workers, transgender people, injection drug users, and MSM (men who have sex with men).<ref>[https://www.unicef.org/laos/activities_22357.html Laos - HIV/AIDS]</ref> <ref>[http://www.wpro.who.int/laos/topics/hiv/en/ Lao People's Democratic Republic - HIV]</ref> As the Laotian borders have opened up in the recent years, the country is seeing higher rates of transmission among foreigners, migrant workers and injection-drug users along the borders as well.<ref>[http://www.irinnews.org/report/94374/laos-looming-threat-catching-hiv-prevalence | ||
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===Support=== | ===Support=== | ||
* As of June 2017, Sethathirat Hospital has a special section at the back with a new building for patients with HIV, AIDS and TB under Dr Saykham. | |||
* Skin Diseases Clinic (Khou Vieng) - One of the most populars clinics treating venereal disease in Vientiane. | |||
* World Health Organization Representative Office Lao People's Democratic Republic: 125 Saphanthong Road, Unit 5 Ban Saphangthongtai, Sisattanak District Vientiane Capital, Lao People's Democratic Republic. Telephone: (856) 21 353-902 / 3 / 4 . Facsimile: (856) 21 353-905. E-mail: who.lao@wpro.who.int | * World Health Organization Representative Office Lao People's Democratic Republic: 125 Saphanthong Road, Unit 5 Ban Saphangthongtai, Sisattanak District Vientiane Capital, Lao People's Democratic Republic. Telephone: (856) 21 353-902 / 3 / 4 . Facsimile: (856) 21 353-905. E-mail: who.lao@wpro.who.int | ||
* [https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/hivaids/ The Global Fund]: This organization provides a lot of the funding for HIV/AIDS work in Laos. | * [https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/hivaids/ The Global Fund]: This organization provides a lot of the funding for HIV/AIDS work in Laos. | ||
* [http://www.psi.org/country/laos/#about Population Services - Laos]: PSI has taken an active role in HIV/AIDS prevention and condom distribution in Laos. "PSI/Laos has been working since 1999 in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) to: Reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and malaria. Find new cases of tuberculosis (TB). Prevent unintended pregnancies. Reduce undernutrition. Improve overall reproductive health and sanitation among Lao people." | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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* "If a woman had a '''UTI''', she might visit a public or private provider, or she may go directly to the pharmacist. Many pharmacists are public providers who have a pharmacy practice on the side; they are often a first stop for people who are sick (especially in rural areas where they may be much closer than a health facility)." - Local Health Care Professional | * "If a woman had a '''UTI''', she might visit a public or private provider, or she may go directly to the pharmacist. Many pharmacists are public providers who have a pharmacy practice on the side; they are often a first stop for people who are sick (especially in rural areas where they may be much closer than a health facility)." - Local Health Care Professional | ||
* There is an '''HPV vaccination''' program (Gardasil) in Laos, launched in 2013 and lead by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.<ref>[https://www.voanews.com/a/hpv-vaccine-campaign-in-laos-aims-to-curb-cervical-cancer-rates/1761242.html Laos HPV Vaccine Campaign Aims to Curb Cervical Cancer]</ref> | * There is an '''HPV vaccination''' program (Gardasil) in Laos, launched in 2013 and lead by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.<ref>[https://www.voanews.com/a/hpv-vaccine-campaign-in-laos-aims-to-curb-cervical-cancer-rates/1761242.html Laos HPV Vaccine Campaign Aims to Curb Cervical Cancer]</ref> | ||
* There is no | * There is no provider of '''Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)''' in Laos (as of June 2017),<ref>[http://www.prepwatch.org/ PrEPWatch World Map]</ref> <ref>[Conversation with health care professional in Laos]</ref> but it can be found in [[Thailand]]. | ||
* | * You can find '''Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)''' in Laos at hospitals that provide ARV therapy.<ref>[Conversation with health care professional in Laos]</ref> | ||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* Police: Call 1191 | |||
* Tourist Police: Call 1192 | |||
* Ambulance: Call 1195 | |||
* [https://www.devex.com/organizations/lao-pdr-women-s-union-lwu-52706 Lao PDR Women's Union (LW)]: "In January 2006, the first women's shelter in Lao PDR was officially opened in Vientiane. The name of this shelter is the Lao Women’s Union Counseling and Protection Center for Women and Children. The shelter was made possible through the dedicated work of the Lao Women’s Union, the Lao Government who donated a plot of land for this shelter, UNICEF, the Asia Foundation, and the Japanese Embassy. The shelter can house up to 50 women and girls who are the victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and trafficking, or are abandoned or homeless. The shelter also has a vocational center that trains the women and girls living in the shelter on new job skills, such as handicrafts, sewing, and basic business management." | * [https://www.devex.com/organizations/lao-pdr-women-s-union-lwu-52706 Lao PDR Women's Union (LW)]: "In January 2006, the first women's shelter in Lao PDR was officially opened in Vientiane. The name of this shelter is the Lao Women’s Union Counseling and Protection Center for Women and Children. The shelter was made possible through the dedicated work of the Lao Women’s Union, the Lao Government who donated a plot of land for this shelter, UNICEF, the Asia Foundation, and the Japanese Embassy. The shelter can house up to 50 women and girls who are the victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and trafficking, or are abandoned or homeless. The shelter also has a vocational center that trains the women and girls living in the shelter on new job skills, such as handicrafts, sewing, and basic business management." | ||
* [http://sengsavang.org/en/home/ Sengsavang]: This organization focuses on victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and they have rehabilitation centre. "SENGSAVANG’s rehabilitation centre provides a safe home where the girls receive holistic care during their rehabilitation process and are given hope for a better future. Besides offering accommodation, food, clothing and other basic necessities, we foster the girls’ overall well-being by providing health care, psychological care, and legal support." | * [http://sengsavang.org/en/home/ Sengsavang]: This organization focuses on victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and they have rehabilitation centre. "SENGSAVANG’s rehabilitation centre provides a safe home where the girls receive holistic care during their rehabilitation process and are given hope for a better future. Besides offering accommodation, food, clothing and other basic necessities, we foster the girls’ overall well-being by providing health care, psychological care, and legal support." | ||
* Vientiane Youth Centre for Health and Development: Address: Sithane Rd, Vientiane, Laos. Phone: +856 21 252 886 | * Vientiane Youth Centre for Health and Development: Address: Sithane Rd, Vientiane, Laos. Phone: +856 21 252 886 | ||
"There aren’t a lot of resources for women in need in Laos, but in general they can contact the Lao Women’s Union for many issues. They run a shelter for domestic violence survivors in Vientiane. There is also Sengsavang shelter and another shelter run by Village Focus International. There is the Vientiane Youth Center, which is a good resources, and a hotline for SRH questions..." - Health care professional based in Vientiane (June 2016) | '''Comments from health care professional based in Vientiane:''' | ||
* "There aren’t a lot of resources for women in need in Laos, but in general they can contact the Lao Women’s Union for many issues. They run a shelter for domestic violence survivors in Vientiane. There is also Sengsavang shelter and another shelter run by Village Focus International. There is the Vientiane Youth Center, which is a good resources, and a hotline for SRH questions..." - Health care professional based in Vientiane (June 2016) | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||