Deputies shared the view that due to the danger of the lethal disease, stigma and discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients is growing in the world and Vietnam, thus violating fundamental human rights and the moral traditions of the Vietnamese people.

Deputy Hoang Van Loi from northern Bac Giang province said families and society should respect and not look down on HIV-infected people.

“In addition to creating conditions for HIV-infected people to receive medical services, they are entitled to refuse any treatment causing chronic pain,” said Mr Loi. “HIV-infected people have the rights to live, work and participate in social activities like ordinary people, as well as keep secret their personal issues relating to HIV/AIDS.”
However, Mr Loi added that HIV carriers are obliged to take preventive measures to stop thew spread of the lethal virus to others.

Deputies also suggested that the draft law allow HIV people to receive health insurance to cover medical costs. However, deputy Tao Huu Phung raised his concern about whether the insurance fund can balance its budget as the antiviral drugs are so expensive. He suggested the issue should not be stipulated in the HIV/AIDS Control Law, but in the Health Insurance Law.