85% of HIV-infected people on ARV treatment have health insurance cards

On August 24, in Vinh City, the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control (Ministry of Health) held a conference to review HIV/AIDS prevention and control work in the first 6 months of the year and deploy the plan for the last 6 months of 2018. Attending the conference were leaders of Departments, Divisions, Institutes and Hospitals under the Ministry of Health; leaders of Health Departments of 63 provinces and cities nationwide; representatives of international organizations. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long - Deputy Minister of Health chaired the conference.

Overview of the conference. Photo: Thanh Chung

In the first 6 months of 2018, the country discovered 3,500 more cases of HIV infection. Compared to the same period in 2017, the number of newly discovered HIV cases decreased by about 3%; the number of AIDS cases decreased by about 27%. However, there are still many people infected with HIV in the community that may not have been detected, as in the recent incident in Phu Tho province. The HIV infection rate is increasing again among drug addicts, men who have sex with men and female sex workers.

In the first 6 months of the year, HIV/AIDS prevention and control work has been stepped up. More than 1.4 million people have been counseled and tested for HIV in the community and at both public and private health facilities. HIV prevention and intervention activities have been maintained through the distribution of syringes, condoms, and treatment of opioid addiction with Methadone.

Community outreach workers in Quy Chau district conduct outreach and contact to bring high-risk subjects for testing. Photo: Thanh Chung

Currently, Vietnam is providing ARV treatment for about 130,000 HIV patients. The expansion of health insurance for HIV-infected people under the direction of the Prime Minister is also being promoted by localities with a general rate in 63 provinces with about 85% of HIV-infected people receiving ARV treatment having health insurance cards...

However, HIV/AIDS prevention and control in Vietnam is facing many difficulties. HIV testing is increasingly difficult, and the positive rate is low. Coverage of HIV testing, harm reduction interventions, and ARV treatment remains low, and media coverage is also decreasing. Patients abandoning Methadone treatment are on the rise.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long - Deputy Minister of Health gave a speech at the Conference. Photo: Thanh Chung

Speaking at the Conference, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long - Deputy Minister of Health acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts of the entire system from ministries, branches, international organizations to localities in HIV/AIDS prevention and control in the past time. With this effort, Vietnam has always been highly appreciated by international organizations and recognized as a bright spot in HIV/AIDS prevention and control on the world map.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long requested localities to seriously review and evaluate the epidemic situation and risk factors in their localities; there should be a specific plan to implement Resolution 20 of the Central Committee with the goal of what to do and how to end the AIDS epidemic.

Awarding the Ministry of Health's emulation flag to outstanding units. Photo: Thanh Chung

At the conference, on behalf of Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long, awarded the Second Class Labor Medal to Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Duong - Former Deputy Director of the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control and the 2017 Emulation Flag of the Ministry of Health to 5 outstanding units./.