The Lao People's Democratic Republic has fewer than 6 million inhabitants and has long remained removed from the major economic upheavals of the region. Yet, the economic expansion of the neighbouring countries has generated a regional dynamic in such a manner that Laos is currently an integral part of development in the region. In terms of the regional HIV/aids epidemic, the nature of this overture favours regional transmission of the virus in the short and medium term.

The prevalence of HIV/Aids in Laos is low and in 2007 was estimated at 0.2% in the population 15-to-49 year olds. However, the migration caused by an increase in commerce and major construction sites (the Nam Theun II Dam[1], North-South and East-West trunk roads) is of a nature that will significantly amplify the prevalence of HIV/Aids in the country. Moreover, at the end of 2008, there were only three treatment sites in the country (2 in Vientiane and 1 in Savannakhet). A 4th site at the Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital is scheduled to open in 2009. At the end of October 2008, a total of 905 patients were benefitting from ARV therapy.

The country has a strategic plan and has published a National ARV Utilisation Manual for adults and children which was updated in March 2008. The strategic plan 2006-2010 introduced access to treatment among its priorities but strategies in favour of HIV/Aids prevention and control remain predominant. Steering tools have been set up in the Ministry of Health in order to accompany the multi-sector national strategy to fight HIV. The mission of the NCCA[2] is to define strategic orientations to fight HIV/Aids and to coordinate the national sectorial response. Moreover, the country is a Principal Recipient of Global Fund financing. The CHAS[3], placed under its supervision, is responsible for implementing the HIV and STD plan. There are provincial committees for the control of Aids (Provincial Committee for the Control of AIDS (PCCA) in each of the 17 provinces to accompany the system in a decentralised manner.

Laos benefitted from Global Fund financing for HIV/Aids in both 2003 and 2005. The first (Round 1) was for a total of US$3.4 million and was earmarked for prevention and control of HIV/Aids and STI. It was mainly intended for sex workers and their customers and included the promotion of condoms and access to STI treatment in five hospitals (Mahosot, Setthathirath, Champassak, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet). The second (Round 4) was for a total of US$1.8 million and destined for prevention of HIV/Aids and the psychosocial support of patients. The proposal for Round 6 of the Global Fund, accepted in 2006 for a total of US$9 million, has made it possible since November 2007 both to adjust tests and to finance antiretroviral and opportunistic infection treatment for all seropositive patients, adults and children, living in Laos. The Asian Development Bank, USAID (via Family health International), WHO, UNICEF, and several NGO (MSF-CH, Norwegian Church Aid, World Vision...) are also among the technical and financial partners in the fight against HIV/Aids in the country.