(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam is aiming to review its accomplishments and make a final push toward its target of eliminating AIDS by 2030 during this year’s National Action Month themed “30 years of responding to the AIDS pandemic in Vietnam.”
The National Strategy on HIV/AIDS prevention and control and its accomplishments over the past 30 years have positioned Vietnam to end the epidemic by 2030.
Since the Law on HIV was issued in 2006, Vietnam’s HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities have obtained good results. Each year, approximately 700,000 high-risk people are tested and 8,000 to 10,000 HIV carriers are identified. 150,000 people with HIV/AIDS have received anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment, and HIV infections in the community have been kept under 0.3%.
Only 3 other countries in the world have achieved such good results.
Trieu Thanh Dung, a National Assembly deputy for Cao Bang province, said: “Over the past 2 years, the government has shifted the financing of HIV/AIDS patients from donors to health insurance. Medical research has produced more effective drugs for people with HIV.”
Vietnam has made a strong commitment to HIV/AIDS prevention and control. HIV/AIDS tests are available in all districts and cities. HIV labs provide quick tests in mountain and remote areas. ARV treatment is covered by health insurance.
Huynh Cao Nhat, a deputy for Binh Dinh province, said: “Vietnam’s policies allow HIV treatment to be covered by health insurance, including treatment and medicines at any hospital nationwide. Localities will fund part of the cost of ARV medicines for HIV patients who have insurance cards.”
Vietnam is on its way to eliminating the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030 with an interim target of keeping annual new infections below 1,000.