Rally in response to World AIDS Day 2024

National action month for prevention and controlHIV/AIDSThe theme for 2024 is "Equality and equity in access to HIV/AIDS prevention and control services - Towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030". This theme was chosen by Vietnam to respond to the theme "Take the Rights Path" of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.HIV/AIDSput forward, emphasizing the role of human rights in health care and protection; demonstrating a commitment to addressing inequalities in access to health services, ensuring access to services for all people, especially high-risk groups, helping Vietnam achieve the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Speaking at the Rally in response to World AIDS Day 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long stated: Over the past years, Vietnam has achieved many important achievements in HIV/AIDS prevention and control; reducing the number of people infected with HIV, reducing the number of people progressing to AIDS, reducing the number of people dying from AIDS. However, the fight against HIV/AIDS still faces many challenges. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is still a threat to human health and life, affecting socio-economic development and the future of the race.

Vietnam has set the goal of “Ending the AIDS epidemic in Vietnam before 2030”. To achieve this goal, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long suggested: Ministries, branches, central and local agencies, and socio-political organizations need to identify HIV/AIDS prevention and control as a content in the socio-economic development program; continue to effectively implement the Party and State's policies on HIV/AIDS prevention and control; increase investment, budget allocation, and ensure finance for HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

Review, supplement and perfect the law on HIV/AIDS prevention and control to be appropriate and consistent; issue mechanisms, policies and a favorable environment to increase the participation of organizations and individuals; continue to innovate and improve the quality of information, propaganda and education, especially against stigma and discrimination related to HIV/AIDS.

The health sector needs to mobilize and effectively use resources; promote the application of science and technology, achievements of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 in HIV/AIDS prevention and control; focus on implementing specialized solutions for HIV/AIDS prevention and control; prioritize facilities and areas with high risk of infection; create favorable conditions for people to access HIV/AIDS prevention and control services; mobilize the participation of private health care in disease treatment; improve professional capacity and expertise and have appropriate remuneration policies for the team working in HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

People living with HIV need to have a positive outlook and new thinking about living with HIV; promote rights and health care for themselves and others in the same situation; and work towards a society without discrimination and a future without HIV/AIDS.

Implementing the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long - Chairman of the National Committee for HIV/AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution Prevention and Control, on November 22, 2024, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued a Plan to organize the National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in 2024 in the province, aiming to increase the attention of leaders, policy makers, and the whole society to HIV/AIDS prevention and control, towards the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030; promote the provision of comprehensive services on HIV/AIDS prevention and control; reduce stigma and discrimination against people with HIV; increase family and social support for people with HIV, create conditions for people with HIV and their family members to participate in social activities, especially HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities.

During this month of action, Nghe An will focus on promoting communication activities to mobilize and promote the role and responsibility of Party committees at all levels, authorities, departments, branches, unions, social organizations, and people of all walks of life in HIV/AIDS prevention and control; organize professional activities to improve service quality and capacity for HIV/AIDS prevention and control teams.../.