On This World AIDS Day 2023, PULSE Clinic and Gallery Continues the Fight to End AIDS, Erase Stigma
For Immediate Release
Bangkok, 30th November, 2023 – The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day, 1 December, is Let Communities Lead. Certainly, PULSE has been a trailblazer in the Thai community, and marks this moment by strengthening its commitment to end AIDS by 2030. PULSE Clinic was among the first to introduce PrEP for all in Thailand in 2015 and same day ART (anti-retroviral therapy) in 2017 to decrease numbers of AIDS-related deaths and hospitalization. Now in 2023, with clinics across Thailand and four other Asian countries, the PULSE organization continues to innovate various ways to fight, reduce and prevent stigma around HIV, sex, sexual health and LGBTx people.
As people across the globe observes World Aids Day, PULSE is proud to have implemented a number of successful initiatives to “test often – treat early” and to focus on protection. These initiatives include:
- Provision of free HIV testing, encouraging frequent testing and early treatment.
- Free syphilis and hepatitis C virus screening in Thailand
- Advocacy for PrEP and one stop online-to-offline PrEP-related service
- POZ&PROUD Same day ART (anti-retroviral therapy) treatment for people who tested positive
Since PULSE Clinic opened in Hong Kong in 2015, we have seen the effectiveness of these strategies. As shown in the chart below the incidence of HIV has plummeted.
Even with advancements in treatment and prevention measures, though, the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS remains unchanged, creating hurdles for affected individuals. PULSE has hosted a number community driven initiatives to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV and sex, including:
- Art exhibitions:
- FLY That Dick, a solo exhibition by Dr. Deyn, founder of PULSE CLINIC
- Oh Lala! Curated by Myrtille Tibayrenc, Bangkok Biennale Artist and curator
- Shunga – Japanese Woodblock prints from 1800’s
- PLAYROOM – A solo exhibition by Oat Montien, Thai artist in residence of Tom of Finland Foundation, LA.
- KinkyBKK Exhibition
- Now Calling
- The annual PULSE Awards https://pulse-gallery.com/pulse-awards-call-to-artist
- Art Club Tuesday (ACT) and Art therapy
- K!NKYBKK – providing an inclusive safe space for community to talk openly about their lifestyles without stigma
As the founder and CEO of PULSE Clinics, Natthakhet Yaemim, M.D. (Dr. Deyn), emphasizes, “Our commitment is to eradicate stigma around sexual well-being, improving healthcare and encourage medical tourism in Thailand, and Southeast Asia, by offering accessible, affordable and efficient healthcare and lifestyle services.”
He continues, “At 20 clinic branches across 5 countries in Asia with eleven locations throughout Thailand, individuals can undergo health services without the hassle of advanced preparations or special arrangements. We prioritize confidentiality, friendliness, and a non-judgmental atmosphere. Our mission at PULSE is to enhance the equality, happiness, and safety of our community by offering them the most advanced medical services and expertise.”
About PULSE Social Enterprise
Established in Bangkok, PULSE is Asia’s leading lifestyle clinic, offering one-stop services for travel medicine, sexual health, preventive and integrated medicine to everyone regardless of age, race, sex, gender, religion, political views. Since its establishment 8 years ago, PULSE has been and continues to be a trailblazer in offering online to offline services, including in-person counselling, laboratory testing, treatment and prevention. It has serviced patients from over 130 countries. PULSE Clinic currently has 16 branches in Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, all with global operation. https://www.pulse-clinic.com
For media queries and interviews, please contact gerard@pulse-clinic.com
Or
TQPR Thailand
Tom Van Blarcom, tom@tqpr.con
Nuie Titichayapon, nuie@tqpr.com