All resources needed to combat AIDS, drugs and prostitution
It is imperative to integrate measures to prevent and control AIDS, illegal drugs and prostitution into socio-economic development programmes.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairman of the National Committee on AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution Prevention and Control, made this remark at the September 7 conference to review work in this field during the first half of this year and devise key tasks for the second half.
In his speech, Deputy PM Phuc emphasised controlling and preventing AIDS, illegal drugs and prostitution as a key task in the country’s socio-economic development that is always captures the attention of the Party and State.
Mr Phuc praised the local steering committees in 63 provinces and cities for effectively implementing prevention and control activities and intensifying the dissemination of relevant information.
For the remaining months of the year, Mr Phuc requested ministries, sectors and localities to carry out Party guidelines and State laws on AIDS, drug and prostitution prevention and control.
He also asked international donors and organizations to continue cooperating closely and effectively with Vietnam to maintain the results already achieved.
According to the committee’s report, more than 5,900 new HIV infections were reported in the first half of this year and 78 percent of communes and districts nationwide now have people living with HIV, up 1 percent over late 2011.
The number of sexually transmitted HIV infections accounts for 45 percent of new infections, 3 percent more than the same period last year.
Drug control police also investigated more than 10,000 cases during the reviewed period, arresting nearly 14,600 drug-related criminals and confiscating 210.5 kg of heroin and 70.84 kg of opium.
The country now has 171,400 drug addicts, up 12,900 over the corresponding period last year, 96 percent of which are male.
In the past six months, around 16,000 underwent detoxification treatment and more than 2,000 addicts, including those under post-detox management, were supported with capital and jobs.
Prostitution is becoming more sophisticated and complex, with an increasing number of activities occurring in most provinces and cities throughout the country.
It is estimated that there are around 30,000 prostitutes in the country but only 13,928 are listed in police files.