Developing an HIV/AIDS prevention plan in Quy Chau and Que Phong

(Baonghean.vn) -On the morning of May 31, under the chairmanship of Comrade Dinh Thi Le Thanh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, the Provincial People's Committee had a working session with FHI 360; USAID and FHI 360 delegation in Nghe An on the development and implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention activities in Que Phong and Quy Chau districts.

At the meeting, the HIV/AIDS Prevention Center reported on the current status of HIV/AIDS infection in the province and the treatment and prevention work. As of December 31, 2012 (management data), the whole province had 6,800 drug addicts, 500 female prostitutes, of which the highest were Vinh City (1,877 people), Tuong Duong (796 people), Que Phong (917 people), Quy Chau (429 people). In the past, there were many HIV/AIDS treatment projects but they were only concentrated in Vinh City, and only implemented in Que Phong and Quy Chau at the end of 2012.

Overview of the working session

Faced with the rapid increase in HIV/AIDS in Que Phong and Quy Chau recently, from May 28 to 31, 2013, FHI 360; USAID and FHI 360 delegation in Nghe An directly surveyed the implementation of the 3-in-1 HIV service model in the two districts; learned about the epidemic situation, reviewed the implementation, developed a plan for treatment with Methadone, transferred ARV drugs to pregnant mothers infected with HIV, and built a multi-level model in Nghe An...

At the meeting, FHI 360; USAID and FHI 360 delegation in Nghe An reported the survey results in Que Phong and Quy Chau districts. The delegation proposed that in the coming time, the Provincial People's Committee should allocate annual funds for the HIV program, especially the mother-to-child transmission prevention program; supplement personnel according to the roadmap for HIV services currently 100% covered by the project. At the same time, build a 3-in-1 service model (treatment, care, ART/HTC/MMT) on a small scale at the district health centers, connecting with district general hospitals; Integrate mobile testing with other services such as reproduction, vaccination, free medical examination... On this occasion, the delegates also heard the project to implement the program of substitution treatment for opioid addiction with Methadone in Nghe An in the period of 2013 - 2015.

On behalf of the provincial leaders, comrade Dinh Thi Le Thanh thanked the attention of FHI 360; USAID delegation, regarding the concerns and proposals of the delegation, in the coming time, the Provincial People's Committee will try to proactively implement the following solutions, at the same time overcome the shortcomings and limitations in HIV/AIDS prevention and control in the province in general, especially the two localities of Quy Chau and Que Phong in particular. Allocate sufficient resources for medical centers, especially village health centers in drug addiction treatment and HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Request the Department of Health to soon deploy 3-in-1 clinics in Que Phong and Quy Chau. For the two districts of Quy Chau and Que Phong, it is necessary to prepare a team of medical staff with capacity, expertise, and dedication, review the missing equipment and propose to the Provincial People's Committee as soon as possible./.

Thanh Thuy