Deputy PM Truong Vinh Trong has called for fresh efforts to curb the disease
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong yesterday urged the whole nation to redouble efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Volunteers distribute leaflets on HIV/AIDS to migrant labourers at Ha Noi’s Long Bien Market. The move marks World AIDS Day which falls today.The deputy PM made the comments at a meeting held in Ha Noi on the occasion of the World AIDS Day, which is marked today.
"The success of our fight against HIV/AIDS will depend on awareness, responsibility and the actions of each of us," stressed Trong.
"More than ever, now is the time for us to lead, empower and deliver in the fight against HIV/AIDS."
More than 1.5 million people participated in events to mark the day held across the nation, with the theme ‘Lead – Empower – Deliver’.
Trong suggested that HIV/AIDS prevention activities focus on programmes that aim to change behaviours in regards to AIDS as well as support people living with HIV and HIV intervention in the community.
Trong also called for more financial resources and support from governments and international organisations involved in HIV/AIDS prevention programmes in Viet Nam.
Speaking at the meeting, Country Director of UNAIDS Viet Nam Eamonn Murphy also called on people to work together to help drug users and prostitutes have access to safe injection needles, condoms and HIV tests as well as treatment services.
"The message for next year will be about the need for further prevention against HIV," said Murphy.
At the event, Nguyen Thi Hai, who is HIV positive, talked about her struggle in coping with the disease as well as her efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
"I hope leaders at all levels would create more favourable conditions and further support people with HIV to get treatment and integrate into the community," said Hai.
"We at least need a chance to work and to take care of themselves."
Hai also called on all HIV/AIDS victims to get involved in useful work for themselves, their families and the whole society.
In mid November, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism and the Viet Nam’s Fatherland Front launched the National Action Month for HIV/AIDS prevention with the aim of improving knowledge about the issue at all leadership levels, ministries, branches, social organisations and across the society at large.
The campaign worked on reducing the stigma of HIV/AIDS victims and discrimination against them. The month was organised on the occasion of the World AIDS Day December 1 with the slogan ‘Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise’.
A movement aimed at getting everyone involved in HIV/AIDS control and prevention at the community level was also launched last moth in an effort to mobilise the whole nation to the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, by end of October 2008, Viet Nam had 135,171 HIV positive people, of them 29,134 had full-blown AIDS and 41,418 died from the disease. People with HIV live in all of the nation’s provinces and cities, most of its districts and nearly 70 per cent of all communes, wards, townships and local administrative units.
(Source: Viet Nam News)
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