Rally in response to World AIDS Day 1/12

Attending the rally were comrade Le Thanh Long - Central Party Committee, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Committee for AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution Prevention and Control; representatives of leaders of ministries, departments, branches, central organizations, members of the National Committee for AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution Prevention and Control.

Vice Chairman of Lam Hai Giang Provincial People's Committee chaired at the Binh Dinh provincial bridge. Also attending were representatives of leaders of relevant departments, departments and branches.

Delegates at the Binh Dinh provincial bridge.

 The National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in 2024 will run from November 10 to December 10, 2024, with the theme “Equity and equity in access to HIV/AIDS prevention and control services - Towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030”. This theme is similar to the theme of World AIDS Day proposed by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in 2024: “Take the Rights Path”.  UNAIDS emphasizes that, by putting people at the center and promoting community participation, the world can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

In 2024, nearly 48,000 people nationwide will participate in opioid addiction treatment with substitution drugs, and nearly 70,000 people will receive pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). In 2023, Vietnam will be the leading country in the Asia-Pacific region in the number of people receiving PrEP treatment, helping to control 97% of users from the risk of HIV infection. The HIV counseling and testing program is deployed from health facilities to the community with many diverse models, providing HIV counseling and testing services to more than 2 million people annually, detecting about 11,000 cases of HIV infection.

 HIV/AIDS treatment has achieved many successes, currently there are nearly 183,000 patients nationwide receiving ARV treatment. Vietnam is also one of the world's leading countries in the quality of HIV treatment with over 97% of people infected with HIV treated with antiretroviral drugs having a viral load below the detection threshold.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long speaks at the rally to respond to World AIDS Day 1/12 - Photo: VGP/Duc Tuan - baochinhphu.vn

Speaking at the rally, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long - Chairman of the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention and Control said that HIV/AIDS is a dangerous pandemic, seriously threatening human life, health and the future of the race. HIV/AIDS prevention and control is not only the responsibility of one country but a global issue.

In Vietnam, HIV/AIDS prevention and control has achieved many important achievements. Awareness and responsibility of all levels, sectors and people have been significantly improved; the legal system is increasingly synchronized; treatment and prevention programs have been expanded. These results have helped Vietnam reduce the number of new infections, reduce cases progressing to AIDS and reduce the mortality rate due to HIV/AIDS.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the theme of this year's World AIDS Day is "Accompanying - Sharing - Resilient", which is a call for every person, every organization, every community, every country to join hands to act, share responsibility and demonstrate resilience to protect their own health and that of the community.

 To achieve the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic in Vietnam before 2030, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long requested ministries, branches, central and local agencies, and socio-political organizations to identify HIV/AIDS prevention and control as a content in the socio-economic development program and plan; continue to effectively implement the Party and State's policies and guidelines, increase investment, allocate budget, and ensure finance for HIV/AIDS prevention and control. In addition, review, supplement, and perfect the law on HIV/AIDS prevention and control to ensure consistency and synchronization. Issue mechanisms and policies to create 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. Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long requested the health sector to mobilize and effectively use all resources;  Promote the application of science and technology, achievements of the 4.0 industrial revolution for HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Focus on implementing specialized solutions for HIV/AIDS prevention and control, prioritizing facilities and areas with high risk of infection...