Vietnam responds to World AIDS Day
(VOV) - A grand meeting was held in Hanoi on December 1 in response to the national month of action on AIDS prevention and control and World AIDS Day.
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He stressed the need to prevent discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients, raise public awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and provide better intensive care for people living with HIV.
The Deputy PM called for joint efforts from the entire political system and Vietnamese citizens generally in combating the fatal disease and reducing the number of new infections even further.
He admitted the task would not be easy, noting an upward trend in HIV infections contracted through sexual transmission.
According to the Health Ministry’s AIDS Prevention and Control Department, Vietnam currently has 206,435 people living with HIV, including 59,206 AIDS patients.
Michael Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, sent a message to the event’s attendees, calling for the billions of people around the world to join hands in fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
He said: “I call upon leaders, communities, parents, people living with HIV, and young people to look forward and work towards a world with Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination, and Zero AIDS-related deaths.”
The UNAIDS Executive Director also emphasised the importance of realising the UN’s “Three Nos” goal - no new HIV infection cases, no discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients, and no fatalities as a result of the disease.
The divide between the established medical community and AIDS has narrowed as the latter emerges from externally imposed isolation and becomes integrated into holistic health services. The response to AIDS has paved the way for a people-centred health delivery system, one that values and restores the respect and dignity of every individual.
Sidibé said it is fortunate leaders are standing up to reiterate a generation free from AIDS is possible, no child should be born with HIV, and no mother should die of AIDS.