Under a project to prevent HIV/AIDS in 2018-2020 approved by the Prime Minister, the provision of essential service packages of intervention and new test services will be expanded in 32 provinces and cities nationwide. Test services for HIV will be provided in district-level health stations, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment.
Vietnam aims to keep low rate of new HIV/AIDS infections
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Pregnant women living in districts reported to be HIV hotbeds in 32 provinces and cities will be tested for HIV. All those who are confirmed HIV positive will be given long-term anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment.
HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) will be launched, aiming to provide data for building HIV prevention plans and monitoring the impact of interventions.
Health insurance coverage for HIV carriers, and communication campaigns to raise public awareness of the importance of early treatment of HIV will also be promoted.
The project is funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Its beneficiaries are Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong and Can Tho cities, 15 northern provinces -Thai Nguyen, Dien Bien, Son La, Quang Ninh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Bac Giang, Hai Duong, Thai Binh, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Vinh Phuc, and Bac Ninh, three central provinces -Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Khanh Hoa, and ten southern provinces-An Giang, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Kien Giang, Long An, Tay Ninh, Soc Trang, Ca Mau and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.
The Prime Minister has approved investment for the deployment of the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in Vietnam during 2018-2020.
Funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund), the project aims to facilitate the implementation of the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in the country, with the aim of controlling the overall prevalence of HIV at below 0.3% and reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS on socio-economic development.
During its deployment, the project is set to expand essential packages on HIV interventions and implement new testing methods in 32 provinces and cities that will benefit from the plan. Delegation of HIV confirmatory tests is expected to be extended to the district level to facilitate early diagnosis.
The project also offers ARV treatment for adults in 32 target localities, as well as providing ARV for children nationwide (approximately 5,000 infants and children per year). Pregnant women in the districts with high HIV prevalence in the aforementioned localities are tested for HIV.
In addition, the use of health insurance for people with HIV and communication on the benefits of health insurance for clients will be enhanced.
Total investment for the project worth over US$55 million has been sourced from the State budget, of which US$53 million has been offered by the Global Fund in the form of non-refundable ODA and the rest covered by reciprocal capital worth VND46 billion.
The MOH was assigned to sign a grant agreement on the project with the Global Fund and related parties, as well as implementing the scheme in accordance with the regulations.
