According to data from the Provincial Center for Disease Control, accumulated from the first case to July 31, 2023, the whole province has more than 5,900 people infected with HIV/AIDS, of which more than 3,900 people have progressed to AIDS, 1,793 people have died. In the first 7 months of 2023 alone, 30 people were discovered to be infected with HIV. Identifying HIV/AIDS prevention and control as a key task, both urgent and long-term, in recent times, our province has continued to effectively implement HIV/AIDS prevention and control measures, moving towards ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic before 2030.
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| Nam Dinh City Medical Center propagates and guides patients on how to prevent and fight infectious diseases and HIV/AIDS. |
Implementing Directive 07-CT/TW dated July 6, 2021 of the Secretariat, Plan No. 22/KH-TU dated September 21, 2021 of the Provincial Party Committee on "Strengthening leadership in HIV/AIDS prevention and control, towards ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Vietnam before 2030", Party committees at all levels, authorities, the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations from the province to the grassroots have strengthened leadership in HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Based on functions, tasks and specific situations, localities and units have developed groups of solutions to synchronously and effectively implement HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs and plans. Functional sectors have promoted coordination, innovation and improved the quality of information, communication and education work on HIV/AIDS prevention and control; focusing on disseminating, thoroughly grasping, propagating, and seriously implementing Directive 07-CT/TW of the Secretariat, the Law on Prevention and Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection, and the National Strategy to End the HIV/AIDS Epidemic by 2030. Diversifying communication products on AIDS, drugs, and prostitution prevention and control; integrating HIV/AIDS prevention and control propaganda with gender equality propaganda, raising gender awareness, and educating about sexual health and reproductive health. Promoting the role and responsibility of the grassroots information system, mobilizing the participation of social organizations, community leaders, religious dignitaries, the elderly, prestigious people in the community, and HIV-infected people to participate in communication work on HIV prevention and control. Thereby raising awareness of Party committees at all levels, authorities, organizations, cadres, party members and people about the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and policies on HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Mobilizing the participation of the entire political system and people in HIV prevention and control.
In particular, the health sector proactively coordinates with other sectors and organizations to widely, flexibly and effectively deploy professional solutions; constantly expand and improve the quality of services on HIV/AIDS prevention and control. At the same time, strengthen the capacity of staff caring for and treating HIV/AIDS patients at all levels, ensure facilities, provide supplies and guide measures to prevent HIV infection in the community, especially high-risk groups; regularly review, advise and mobilize them to voluntarily do early HIV testing, mobilize drug addicts to participate in Methadone substitution treatment for opioids and people with HIV/AIDS to receive early ARV treatment. Harm reduction intervention services to prevent HIV infection for groups vulnerable to HIV infection are maintained and improved in quality. HIV counseling, testing and HIV infection prevention activities continue to be expanded; treatment and care for people with HIV are well implemented.
To help people with HIV/AIDS have convenient access to treatment facilities, the province currently has 10 HIV/AIDS treatment facilities for patients, treating 1,601 patients with ARV. In addition, activities: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); hepatitis C viral load testing continue to be promoted. The province currently has 5 HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis facilities including: the Provincial Center for Disease Control, the Medical Centers of Giao Thuy, Xuan Truong, Nghia Hung districts and Hai Hau District General Hospital. Since the beginning of the year, 315 clients have participated in PrEP. HIV testing and counseling facilities have approached, communicated, counseled and screened 1,594 clients in high-risk groups for HIV infection (drug addicts, female sex workers, men who have sex with men), detected 30 people with HIV and were counseled and referred for treatment to HIV/AIDS treatment facilities. The care and treatment of AIDS patients and Methadone treatment in the area are monitored and provided with technical support in accordance with regulations. In addition, subjects at high risk of HIV infection are provided with over 650 syringes, 1,450 condoms, nearly 500 lubricant packs... contributing to reducing the risk of HIV infection in the community.
Under the leadership of Party committees and authorities at all levels, with the active participation of the community, departments, branches, unions and political and social organizations, HIV/AIDS prevention and control in the province has recently had many positive and effective changes, contributing to reducing the spread, helping infected people and the community have a more realistic view of HIV/AIDS, sympathizing and sharing with those who are unfortunately infected so that they have more opportunities to live and integrate into the community. Although the HIV infection situation is gradually being controlled and gradually pushed back, the care and treatment of people with HIV/AIDS still faces many difficulties. Some people infected with HIV in the community have not voluntarily participated in treatment due to concerns about social stigma, which is a risk of spreading the infection to the community.
Towards the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic before 2030, in the coming time, Party committees and authorities at all levels will continue to strengthen leadership and direction in HIV/AIDS prevention and control. The health sector will improve the quality of care and treatment at outpatient clinics for adults and children, prevent mother-to-child transmission, and provide high-quality HIV/AIDS care services to ensure that HIV/AIDS patients living in the community have access to drugs to treat opportunistic infections, and increase the number of people living with HIV/AIDS receiving ARV treatment. Pregnant women will have access to services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV at the counseling and care room; promptly detect and treat HIV transmission from mother to child and provide ARV treatment for mother-child pairs. Improve the capacity of staff working in HIV/AIDS prevention and control; expand the coverage of HIV/AIDS prevention and control services. Strengthen inter-sectoral coordination in information, education, communication, harm reduction intervention to prevent HIV infection, attract a large number of departments, sectors, unions, social and religious organizations and people to participate in HIV/AIDS prevention, support, care and treatment./.
Article and photos: Minh Tan
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