The figure was released at the yesterday meeting in Ho Chi Minh City held by the Ministry of Health and the municipal People’s Committee in response to the national action month to the epidemic and the World AIDS Day with the theme “Action for goal of 90-90-90 by 2020!”.
AIDS is one of leading causes of ailment and deaths in Vietnam. At least 50,000 people living with HIV don’t know that they are infected with the disease especially drug addicts and homosexual people.
The number of fresh cases of people living with HIV, the number of people with HIV could progress to AIDS and the HIV-related deaths declined in 2018, said Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien at the meeting.
Ms. Tien said that the Southeast Asian country is implementing comprehensive and effective medical services of prevention and looking after to people living with HIV. Specifically, more than 131,000 patients are treated with Antiretroviral therapy (ART ) while approximately 54,000 people are taking Methadone.
Moreover, around 2 million Vietnamese people are tested HIV. The country is highly appraised by international organizations in the fight of AIDS prevention.
Accordingly, the Health Minister asked related agencies, unions and people’s committees in cities and provinces, and the society to take part in the fight against the pandemic to help all people at high risk access to HIV preventative medical services and tests.
Furthermore, action should be taken to help people to take ARV early and treatment. Last but not least, action will help all HIV-infected people can have health insurance cards.
Deputy Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee Huynh Cach Mang said that the city has gained certain achievements in the fight against HIV/AIDS. By September, 2018, the city has gained initial accomplishment of the goal of 90-9-90.
He added that city authorities will continue actions in the fight to eliminate the epidemic.
After the meeting, delegators attended the exhibition against HIV/AIDS and paid a visit to HIV/AIDS patients in Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital.
