Experts and organisers from the Ho Chi Minh City Political and Administrative Institute, the Vietnam Medical Initiatives-a US non-profit organisation-and the Boston University of the US discussed the bill on HIV/AIDS control and relevant legal documents in Vietnam.

They also exchanged views on successes and challenges, human rights and gender issues related to HIV/AIDS as well as public opinions on living with the deadly pandemic.

The workshop aimed to increase public awareness of the national policies on HIV/AIDS, improve responsible public workers’ capacity to make relevant plans for cities and provinces, including Da Nang, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai, under the central Government.

The workshop was expected to contribute to the success of the national strategy against HIV/AIDS which has been approved by the Government.

Reports released at the workshop showed that up to late 2008, almost 1,050 Da Nang residents tested positive for HIV, half of whom have developed full-blown AIDS and 287 of them have died.

The HIV epidemic has expanded across the city having HIV carriers reported in all 56 villages and precincts.

Quang Nam province has a total of 512 HIV carriers, including 248 AIDS patients, most of whom have passed away.

The nearby province of Quang Ngai has 273 HIV infected people. More than half of them have developed full-blown AIDS and have died.

Most of the HIV carriers in these localities are young between 20 and 39.