VN commits to combating HIV/AIDS, drugs and prostitution
VGP – The National Committee for HIV/AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution Prevention and Control today in Hà Nội celebrated its 10th founding anniversary and highlighted the necessity to better control the epidemics and social evils.
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Deputy PM Trương Vĩnh Trọng (3rd from L) presses the button to launch the official website of the National Committee for AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution Prevention and Control, Hà Nội, June 4, 2010 – Photo: VGP/Nguyễn Hoàng |
The event drew the participation of Deputy PM Trương Vĩnh Trọng, leaders of relevant ministries and agencies, and representatives of international organizations.
The National Committee has become the pioneer in proposing valuable policies for the Government and instructing inferiors to conduct effective strategies, programs and plans on HIV/AIDS, drugs and prostitution prevention and control.
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Deputy PM Trương Vĩnh Trọng urges relevant ministries and agencies to take drastic actions against HIV/AIDS, drugs and prostitution, Hà Nội, June 4, 2010 – Photo: VGP/Nguyễn Hoàng |
*Joining hands to combat HIV/AIDS, drugs and prostitution
Addressing the event, Deputy PM Trương Vĩnh Trọng, Chair of the National Committee, called on the three forces from the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to strengthen cooperation with central and local authorities and mass organizations to raise public awareness and mobilize national and international contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS, drugs and prostitution.
On this occasion, the National Committee launched its official website: http://ubqg-hiv-mt-md.chinhphu.vn which will present an important information channel for ministries, agencies, localities and subscribers to access news and legal documents relating to HIV/AIDS, drugs and prostitution prevention.
In the period of 2000-2010, around 122,500 drugs-related cases were disclosed and over 199,400 criminals were captured. Over 13,000 prostitution cases were exposed and 47,457 violators were punished.
The Government has taken drastic measures to help drug users to undergo detoxification, find jobs, and re-integrate into the society. Especially, the pilot drug detoxification model with methadone has been conducted in the Northern city of Hải Phòng, Hồ Chí Minh City and Hà Nội with initial promising outcomes.
Việt Nam has managed to keep HIV/AIDS infection rate below 0.3% of its population.
According to statistics from the National Committee, at the end of 2009, Việt Nam had 156,802 HIV patients, more than 146,700 drug addicts and 29,259 prostitutes.
By Hương Giang
