**********************************************************
About 140 overseas and local experts working in the AIDS sector are meeting in Hong Kong over three days (December 7 to 9) to discuss the prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections among men who have sex with men (MSM), and also how to enhance efforts towards the treatment, care and support in the participating cities.
The event, entitled "Action Planning Meeting of Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Populations Multi-City HIV Initiative", is jointly organised by the Department of Health (DH), the United States Agency for International Development, organisations under the United Nations system, the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health, the Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS and regional partners.
The three-day meeting is being attended by about 140 participants from 12 countries and 30 regional organisations, with major participants from six Asian cities, namely Bangkok, Chengdu, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila and Yangon. They are joined by local experts and observers.
It is the first time an action meeting of this kind has gathered in the Asian region to review the current HIV epidemic trends, examine municipal response and identify innovative initiatives to step up efforts in HIV prevention, treatment, care and support amongst MSM and transgender populations in the six cities.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of Health, Dr P Y Lam, said despite the fact that HIV prevalence in Hong Kong has remained at a relatively low level for a long time, the rise in HIV infections among MSM in Hong Kong and the neighbouring region over the last few years has alerted the city to the importance of vigilance.
"Our serial community-based surveys have revealed that HIV prevalence in the local MSM community has reached the borderline level of a concentrated epidemic (around four per cent in 2006 and 2008), which is considerably higher than other at-risk populations, such as methadone clinic attendees and social hygiene clinic attendees recorded around the same period," Dr Lam said.
"In fact, HIV prevention in MSM was listed as the top priority area of action in the current Recommended HIV/AIDS Strategies for Hong Kong 2007-2011 formulated by the Advisory Council on AIDS," said Dr Lam, adding that the Government and the local community had made a great deal of effort in response.
"As a result, there has been a rapid scale-up in the number and scope of community organisations engaged in targeted prevention and HIV testing," he added.
Dr Lam is confident that the sharing session to be presented by Hong Kong's representatives will give the participants a better idea of successful local response factors, and hopes that the meeting can lead to the prioritisation of resources for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support amongst MSM through a solid action plan for the six major participating cities.
Ends/Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Issued at HKT 13:01
NNNN
