HIV/AIDS Response Coordination

In recent years, An Giang has achieved many results in HIV/AIDS prevention and control. The functional sector has implemented many practical programs, contributing to raising public awareness, expanding access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services. However, the HIV/AIDS epidemic still has potential risks, requiring continuous efforts and flexible response solutions, suitable to the actual situation. Currently, the number of HIV infections has tended to increase again since 2019, the main transmission route is through unsafe sex, the highest infected group is MSM - a group with many high-risk behaviors for HIV transmission, access to intervention programs is still limited. High-risk areas include Long Xuyen City, Cho Moi District, Chau Phu and Phu Tan. According to statistics up to the end of December 2024 of the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, An Giang is currently one of the hot spots, alarming in the number of new infections, with over 18,500 people.

In fact, HIV prevention activities in An Giang, in addition to the active participation of medical staff, cannot fail to mention the contributions of young people from community groups. YouMe Communication and Community Development Company Limited (YouMe) specializes in building effective communication strategies to raise public awareness of health issues, including HIV/AIDS.

Director of YouMe Company Truong Hoang Bao Ngoc said: "We have implemented the program in many localities, especially rural and mountainous areas. Therefore, the company has experience in organizing community events and professional meetings, creating effective communication and exchange spaces between stakeholders such as health agencies, social organizations, communities and experts to agree on coordinated measures to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic; can connect organizations, state agencies, health experts and non-governmental organizations in the region to develop a multi-sectoral coordination plan. This is very important to increase the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS prevention and control, especially in the context of rapid changes in the epidemic and the need for coordination between the health,education , community and social organizations sectors".

IRD VN Social Enterprise Company Limited is successfully implementing many technical assistance and health care projects in the field of tuberculosis, effectively contributing to the prevention, containment and eventual eradication of infectious diseases. With its mission in community health care, IRD VN strives to seek and mobilize aid from the US CDC to implement the project "Enhancing HIV Program Collaboration, Connectivity and Capacity for Sustainable Epidemic Control - ECLIPSE". ECLIPSE project activities will be implemented in 10 provinces and cities (Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thai Nguyen, An Giang, Kien Giang, Can Tho, Long An, Binh Duong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Ho Chi Minh City) to contribute to narrowing the current gap in private sector participation, linkages in the hospital system of Vietnam, applying digital tools to processes to improve patient monitoring, and enhancing data management and use capacity. The objectives of the ECLIPSE project are fully consistent with the national strategy to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

At the situation update session, many young people, organizations and individuals boldly shared about the difficulties in the treatment process; advice for people living with HIV; professional guidance from medical facilities; analysis of the trend of rejuvenating infected people in minors... The meeting discussed the desire to build a mechanism, closely coordinate with local agencies and departments in supporting the community in preventing and fighting HIV/AIDS, such as: Department of Health, CDC, Department of Education and Training, district-level medical centers (not depending on the projects); support the development of health communication programs for the local community; proactively connect with private enterprises and local resources to participate in social work; develop organizations, build the image of a civilized and healthy community... From there, it is expected to minimize the number of HIV/AIDS infections in the community.

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/phoi-hop-ung-pho-hiv-aids-a418841.html