VN to terminate HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030

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The VAAC reported that Viet Nam has about 50,000 HIV carriers who have yet been exposed. The group of users injecting drugs infected with HIV is on the rise. HIV transmission among the homosexuality group surges sharply. 

Deputy Director of the Viet Nam Authority of HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC) Hoang Dinh Canh revealed that Viet Nam is the first country in the Southeast Asian region which commits to fulfilling  the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets in which by 2020, 90% of people living with HIV will know their HIV status; 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy; and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression. 

The goals will be realized by 2020 and maintained in the next 10 years. By 2030, Viet Nam will eliminate the epidemic, said Mr. Canh. 

The Deputy Director stressed the necessity to apply HIV/AIDS tests in the community and encourage people living with HIV to receive early treatment.  

To ensure that HIV-infected patients  would be able to access ARV, the Government would change HIV/AIDS treatment fees from projects and programs to the Health Insurance Fund. 

Viet Nam was also praised as one of the leading countries pioneering in utilizing the Health Insurance Fund to cover HIV treatment services for people living with HIV, said USAID/Viet Nam's Health Office Director Ritu Singh.

As of late January, 2019, health insurance fund will cover medical treatment for 48,000 people living with HIV with about US$ 6 million for ARV./.

By Khanh Phuong