Calling for action from all people against HIV/AIDS, Minister Tien said that Vietnam has reaped impressive achievements in the work over the past few years, yet the country is still facing many serious challenges, such as the increasing number of new cases in the high-risk group, inadequate attention to the prevention work, difficulties in the shift of the treatment to health insurance, and the lingering discrimination against HIV carriers.
The minister called on leaders of localities, social organisations, the health sector and all people to act more strongly so every person can access prevention services in an early and sustainable manner.
Speaking highly of Vietnam’s efforts, Director of the UNAIDS Vietnam, Marie-Odile Emond, noted that, so far this year, the country has successfully realised many new ideas for the people to have more choices and easier approaches to prevention services. It will be a historical turning point when Vietnam starts to provide treatment services covered by health insurance, she stressed.
Statistics released by the health ministry reveal that currently Vietnam has roughly 208,000 HIV carriers, each year the country has over 8,000 new carriers detected and from 3,000 – 4,000 people die of AIDS. At least 50,000 people who have HIV are living in the community without knowing they are carrying the virus.
