Actions to prevent new HIV infections

The event, co-organised by the Health Ministry and the Can Tho municipal People’s Committee, was attended by 3,000 officers and residents from nine districts of Can Tho City.

Participants also joined a demonstration against HIV/AIDS that called for joint actions to prevent new HIV infection cases in Vietnam. 

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long emphasised that the HIV/AIDS pandemic remains a serious threat to people’s health, referencing the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in effect until 2020 and with a vision to 2030.

Over the past two decades, he said Vietnam has constantly fought against the deadly disease and achieved remarkable results that have won international recognition and praise. Vietnam managed to curb the spread of the HIV virus in its community and currently has the lowest rate of new HIV infections in Southeast Asia, he added. 

However, he said, the HIV epidemic risks recurrence, citing the rising trend in HIV infections through sexual transmission, especially among women and children.

The Deputy Health Minister stressed the need to raise public awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Many HIV/AIDS patients have not received appropriate care due to discrimination and inadequate health services, particularly in remote areas.

The UNAIDS Director in Vietnam Tony E. Lisle affirmed his organisation has actively assisted Vietnam in combating HIV/AIDS.

The international community highly values Vietnam’s sustained efforts and initiatives in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Over the years, the country has taken the lead in HIV/AIDS prevention and control by using emergent therapies including Methadone for drug users. It is currently among the pioneers taking part in a trial programme on treating HIV patients in their residential areas, he noted.

According to the Health Ministry’s AIDS Prevention and Control Department, Vietnam currently has 206,435 people living with HIV, including 59,206 full-blown AIDS patients. As many as 62,073 people have been killed by the deadly virus.

In the first three quarters of this year, the number of new HIV infection cases was estimated at 8,560, including 2,972 new AIDS patients.