Peak month for HIV prevention launched

Addressing the launching ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long called on all pregnant women, especially those who are at risk of contracting HIV, to go to health establishments to have their blood tested for HIV, so that they can receive suitable preventive treatment and care.

Mr. Masaya Kato, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), said the launch of the month is a practical step closer to the goals set in the National Strategy on Preventing and Fighting HIV/AIDS in Vietnam through 2020 with a vision to 2030.

He said Vietnam has a big chance to minimize HIV and syphilis infections among infants, because the country has a good healthcare system, national guides and comprehensive approach to recommendations of the WHO.

Vietnam currently has 226 establishments which provide services of preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission, including 2 at central level, 92 at provincial level and 132 at district level. 

By Ngoc Van