PHNOM PENH, 25 July 2017—UNAIDS congratulates Cambodia for achieving the 90-90-90 targets, which are  key global commitments on HIV testing and treatment, three years ahead of schedule. The Minister of Health of Cambodia, H.E. Dr. Mam Bunheng participated in the 90-90-90 Targets Workshop from 22-23 July in Paris, France. During the conference Cambodia’s achievements were showcased.

The country’s success is due to a combination of political commitment from the Royal Government of Cambodia under the strong leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and civil society as well as coordinated support from UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight  AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Cambodia has managed to translate strategic information into strategic interventions.

In 2013, the​ Government committed to reaching the 90-90-90 targets – that’s 90% of people knowing their HIV status, 90% of people who know their status accessing treatment and 90% of people on treatment achieving viral suppression. The country has the highest treatment coverage for people living with HIV in the region and is one of only seven countries globally to have already reached the 90-90-90 targets with 80% of people on treatment achieving viral suppression.

H.E. Minister Mam Bunheng participated in a High-Level Session with the Ministers of Health of Botswana, Lesotho and Panama and other global leaders which was organized by UNAIDS, the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, the Global Network of People Living with HIV and the International AIDS Society.

“We are proud of the expansion and coverage of life saving services that we have achieved. And we are committed to address the remaining challenges to sustain  these results, and eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2025.” said Minister Mam Bun Heng.

The challenges include sustainability and quality of HIV services in the context of rapidly declining external funding; retention of qualified and experienced human resources for HIV programme management and implementation; structural and legal barriers, including stigma and discrimination, which still deter key and priority populations from accessing HIV services.

“Cambodia is to be congratulated for reaching this global target three years before the world’s deadline,” said Vladanka Andreeva, UNAIDS Cambodia Director. “This shows that the country’s strong leadership, commitment and engagement with communities is having phenomenal results.”

As a pathmaker in the AIDS elimination, Cambodia is in a unique position to lead this agenda.

“The shift from epidemic control to virtual elimination is currently being done without significant experience from similar countries or global guidance,” said Minister Mam Bun Heng.

The national programme, together with partners and communities will focus on: finding undiagnosed people living with HIV, assuring quality of HIV services across the cascade of testing, treatment and care, strengthening surveillance and monitoring systems and continuing to leverage resources from domestic funding to mitigate financial risks.

Contact

MoH Cambodia | H.E. Dr. Or Vandine | tel.+855 23  885 976 | vandine@online.com.kh

MoH Cambodia | H.E. Dr. Mean Chhi Vun | tel.+855 16 830 241 | mchhivun@nchads.org

UNAIDS Cambodia | Vladanka Andreeva | tel.+855 23 219 340 | andreevaa@unaids.org

UNAIDS Regional Office in Bangkok | Saya Oka | tel. +66 2680 4128 | okas@unaids.org

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.