National Assembly (NA) deputies on May 20 heard a report from the NA Commission for Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu on readjustments to the draft Law on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control and discussed a number of different opinions on the draft law.

The draft law, consisting of six chapters and 51 articles stipulates measures for preventing and controlling HIV/AIDS, caring, treating and supporting for HIV-affected people which are applicable to domestic and foreign agencies, organisations and individuals in Vietnam. Notably, the draft law also regulates the rights and obligations of HIV-affected people with which they are entitled to live, work and integrate into the social community while being provided with health catre, cultural knowledge, vocational training, and the right to secure their HIV/AIDS- related privacy.

In addition, HIV-infected people are under an obligation to take HIV-infection control measures and actively participate in HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities.

Speaking at the session, Deputy Do Nguyen Phuong from southern Binh Phuoc province said HIV/AIDS epidemic has spread to 64 provinces and cities throughout the country with approximately 110,000 people infected with HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS has been detected in 93 percent of districts and 50 percent of communes and the number of pregnant women infected with HIV/AIDS currently makes up 4 percent of the total affected people. This shows HIV/AIDS is a serious matter of social concern and needs to be prevented and controlled at any cost.

HIV/AIDS is related to prostitution and drug abuse but we should not identify HIV/AIDS with these social evils as it is a chronic disease not a social scourge, noted Mr Phuong.

Mr Phuong also underscored the need to prevent discrimination against HIV-infected people, especially women and children, ensure legal rights and interests, raise families and society's sense of responsibility towards HIV patients.

Regarding the name of the draft law, deputy Truong Thi Thu Hang from southern Dong Nai province said it should keep the name as the Law on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in the fullest sense of the English phrase "Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome". This is in conformity with international practices, especially when Vietnam is actively seeking international co-operation in preventing and controlling the century disease in the region and the world. It is imperative to issue support policies towards people accidentally exposed to HIV/AIDS like those work at HIV/AIDS treatment centres and are at high risk of being exposed to the deadly disease. Therefore, the State and the entire society should give special attention to them.

The same day, NA deputies also heard a report from Chairman of the NA Committee for Economics and Budget Nguyen Duc Kien on readjustments to the draft Law on Real Estate Business and discussed different opinions on the draft law.

The draft Real Estate Business Law, including six chapters and 82 articles, stipulates real estate business activities, the rights and obligations of organisations and individuals involved in real estate business and real estate transactions. The draft law is applicable to organisations and individuals engaging in real estate business activities in Vietnam.

NA deputies also gave opinions on land use rights, construction projects and other land-related assets and saying that the draft law should aim to serve not only real estate businesses but also real estate transactions among people, State agencies and police and units army as well. They described this as a complicated area that should be clarified to combat corruption and prevent collaboration to appropriate State property.
NA deputies will continue working on May 22.