The Central Interdisciplinary Delegation highly appreciated the HIV treatment work of Vinh City General Hospital.

The inter-sectoral working group of the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention and Control inspected the ARV Clinic of Vinh City General Hospital. Photo: Thanh Chung

On the morning of December 8, the inter-sectoral working group of the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention and Control inspected ARV treatment services, TB/HIV co-infection treatment and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis at Vinh City General Hospital.

Vinh City General Hospitalis a class II hospital, under the Nghe An Department of Health. Since 2015, the hospital has arranged an ARV (antiretroviral) clinic.HIV) into operation. Up to now, the hospital has received and treated ARV, TB/HIV patients, and HIV exposure prevention for nearly 500 patients.

From 2021, Vinh City General Hospital will begin receiving patients for treatment of hepatitis C in people co-infected with HIV under the project program. The hospital's ARV clinic was chosen as the second location for HIV exposure prevention treatment in the province.

Checking the management of patients receiving ARV treatment, TB/HIV and HIV exposure prevention. Photo: Thanh Chung

At present, Vinh City General Hospital still faces some difficulties in ARV treatment, TB/HIV co-infection treatment and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, such as: Limited facilities and medical staff; patients' understanding of ARV drugs is not complete; there is still a situation where patients hide their illness and seek treatment on their own, or even do not seek treatment at public facilities.

During the field inspection, the interdisciplinary working group of the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention and Control highly appreciated the efforts of Vinh City General Hospital in ARV treatment, TB/HIV co-infection treatment and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.

The working delegation gave their opinions and suggestions to Vinh City General Hospital in AIDS prevention and control. Photo: Thanh Chung

The working group also noted that the hospital needs to continue to add more activities related to AIDS prevention and control, drug and prostitution prevention and control; as well as identify drug addiction in the area; pay attention to exposure prevention and HIV/AIDS prevention counseling for pregnant women, especially pregnant women without health insurance cards; treat latent tuberculosis...

The working group also noted the hospital's recommendations regarding the organization of additional classes and related training programs so that doctors and nurses can access, update and improve their professional qualifications in consulting, caring for and treating the above patient groups; increase the testing criteria for immune system function of HIV-infected people and free viral load for the hospital due to the increasing number of patients receiving ARV treatment at the hospital./.