Cambodia’s HIV prevalence has declined significantly since its peak around the year 2000, due to an increase in condom use, and increased access to HIV testing and treatment. However, at 0.7 percent, Cambodia’s HIV prevalence is among the highest in Asia. Approximately 75,000 people in Cambodia are currently living with HIV, more than half of whom are women (UNAIDS, 2013). HIV also disproportionately affects female sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM) and people who inject drugs (PWID).
In partnership with the Australian Red Cross, AIHA manages a Blood Safety Project in Cambodia. This project supports PEPFAR’s goal to reduce transmission of HIV and other blood-borne infections, working closely with Ministries of Health and National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS). In Cambodia, technical experts provide training for clinicians, nurses, laboratory staff and blood donor recruiters, as well as assistance to improve:
- Infrastructure, including a national blood policy, blood costing and finance, blood services management, facilities
- Laboratory testing for immunohematology and infectious diseases
- Donor selection, care and counselling
- Blood donor recruitment
- Clinical use of blood and blood administration
Read more about AIHA’s Blood Safety Project here.