The country currently has 318 centres for detecting and treating HIV/AIDS nationwide, including five facilities at the central level as well as 154 at provincial level and 159 at district level, Dr. Long said.
There are also 127 centres caring for HIV-infected children as well as a range of testing centres reaching provincial hospitals, clinics and preventive health care centres.
A number of religious communities are also involved in the care and support of people living with HIV/AIDS, especially the children.
The country has recently seen a rapid increase in the number of HIV/AIDS patients receiving good care and treatment, thanks to the many treatment facilities and services plus positive and effective support from international organisations.
According to the Department, as of mid-2011, Vietnam had reported 190,902 people living with HIV, 44,022 of whom have developed full-blown AIDS and 49,477 have died from the disease.
The deadly disease has appeared in 100% of provinces and cities, 97.9% of districts, and 75.23% of communes and wards across the country.
HIV transmission still remains high among injecting drug users and sex workers, respectively accounting for 17.2% and 4.6% of the total number of HIV infections.
HIV prevalence among pregnant women stands at 0.26%, while HIV acquired through sexual contact has increased from 12% of newly detected cases in 2004 to 38% in 2010, and up to 41.7% in the first six months of 2011.
82% of all reported HIV cases are in the 20-39 age group, with males accounting for 69% of the total.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic still remains particularly complicated in the Mekong Delta region and northern mountainous provinces.
