Nghe An: Responding to the National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in 2022

The Steering Committee for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control of Nghe An province coordinated with the People's Committee of Que Phong district to organize a Rally and Parade in response to the "National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control and World AIDS Day on December 1". Photo: Thanh Chung

The art performance at the rally was performed by staff of Que Phong District Medical Center. Photo: Thanh Chung

Since the first HIV case was detected in 1996, Nghe An has recorded 10,695 infected people.HIV(ranked 6th in the country); the number of people living with HIV being managed is 6,287, the number of deaths is 4,408.

In particular, Que Phong district is a key area for HIV in the whole province with 2,160 HIV cases (accounting for 20% of the whole province), the number of living cases being managed is 1,524 (accounting for 24% of the whole province).

Current epidemic situationHIV/AIDSIn Que Phong district in particular and Nghe An in general, the situation has gradually been controlled, however, there are still many complicated developments with a trend of rejuvenation and rapid increase in the group of men having sex with men.

Over the years, HIV prevention work has always received attention and direction from Party committees at all levels, authorities, departments and unions in the province; with the support of social organizations and international projects with synchronous solutions and achieved remarkable results.

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Director of the Department of Health called on Party committees at all levels, authorities, departments, branches, unions, social organizations, community-based organizations... to continue to pay attention to directing and implementing well the work of HIV/AIDS prevention. Photo: Thanh Chung

21/21 districts, cities and towns have HIV counseling and testing facilities, including 09 HIV confirmation laboratories. The province has established 26 ARV care and treatment facilities with a total of 4,775 patients being treated; 04 medical facilities have implemented HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (with more than 1,700 cases participating).

The program to treat opioid addiction with Methadone replacement drugs has been implemented synchronously throughout the province with 12 treatment facilities and 20 drug dispensing facilities in operation. 4,389 patients have participated in treatment, and the number of patients currently being treated is 1,233.

Up to now, Nghe An has prevented and controlled the epidemic on all three criteria (reducing the number of new HIV infections, reducing the number of AIDS deaths and reducing the number of people progressing to AIDS), gradually moving towards the 95-95-95 targets, which are the basis for ending the AIDS epidemic in Vietnam by 2030.

Speaking at the ceremony, on behalf of the Steering Committee for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control of Nghe An province, Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Director of the Department of Health called on Party committees at all levels, authorities, departments, branches, unions, social organizations, community-based organizations... to pay attention to directing and coordinating the implementation of the National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in 2022 to the grassroots and people.

Parade in response to the National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control and World AIDS Day on December 1. Photo: Thanh Chung

Specialized agencies and media agencies should strengthen propaganda work to raise awareness and change harmful behaviors, practice safe behaviors to prevent HIV infection among all classes of people; especially strengthen propaganda and provide information on HIV/AIDS, gender, reproductive health, safe sex; harmful effects of drugs; and warn about the risk of HIV infection among young people.

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh emphasized: This year's National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control is implemented with the theme: "End the AIDS epidemic - Youth are ready". This message is to call on youth and students to be exemplary in their studies, actively participate in propaganda and implementation of prevention and control of social evils; prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in localities and schools./.