About 10,000 new HIV cases discovered in 2018

There were about 10,000 new HIV carriers detected in 2018, including 2,000 fatalities, equivalent to those in 2017.
About 10,000 new HIV cases discovered in 2018 ảnh 1Illustrative image (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – There were about 10,000 new HIV carriersdetected in 2018, including 2,000 fatalities, equivalent to those in 2017.

The figure has so far raised the total number of living HIVpatients to 208,800; up to 94,900 of them developed into AIDS and 98,500 weredead. The rate of HIV/AIDS infection was curbed below 0.3 percent.

The health sector launched awareness campaigns nationwidewith hundreds of articles featuring HIV diagnosis and treatment towards thegoal of diagnosing 90 percent of all HIV-positive persons, providingantiretroviral (ARV) therapy for 90 percent of those diagnosed and achievingviral suppression for 90 percent of those treated by 2020, thus eliminatingAIDS by 2030 and using health insurance for HIV patients.

Localities distributed clean injection needles to nearly106,000 drug abusers, condoms to over 62,000 others, 35,500 sex workers, 67,600gays and nearly 16,500 wives and sexual partners of HIV patients in 52 citiesand provinces.

The number of establishments offering methadone therapy rosefrom 294 in 2017 to 314 in 2018 in all the 63 cities and provinces, benefitingmore than 54,200 patients, up about 3,000 from 2017.

The Healthy Ministry is studying a plan to treat drugaddition by burpronorphine.

More than 1,300 medical stations nationwide are offering HIVtesting services while ARV treatment is available in all the cities andprovinces nationwide, with clinics offering the treatment rising from 401 in2017 to 429 in 2018. ARV medicines were distributed at 652 medical stations, 32prisons and two detention centres.

The rate of HIV/AIDS-infected patients joining healthinsurance has increased from 50 percent in October 2016 to nearly 90 percent now.All patients under ARV treatment in Ninh Thuan, Lai Chau, Cao Bang and Ca Mau provinceshave been covered by health insurance.

The sector strives to diagnose HIV in key and high-riskareas, detention centres and mountainous areas.

It targets treating 140,000 patients by ARV therapy andpooling financial resources for HIV/AIDS prevention and control.-VNA
VNA

See more

Mr. Gilberto recovered well after treatment at Hong Ngoc General Hospital.

US veteran calls Vietnamese doctors “heroes” after life-saving treatment

After being assisted on a medically supported flight back to the United States for continued treatment, Gilberto’s health condition showed positive improvement. From afar, he later sent a heartfelt video message expressing gratitude to the medical team at Hong Ngoc General Hospital, the people he called “heroes.”

Residents in Hanoi's Bach Mai ward receive free health check-ups. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam moves toward universal free annual health checkups from 2026

Every Vietnamese citizen from 2026 onward will be entitled to at least one free annual medical checkup or screening. Each individual will also have a digital health record integrated into the national digital identification platform VNeID, enabling authorities and healthcare providers to manage health data in a synchronised and continuous manner.

Ho Chi Minh City's digital citizen application (Photo: nld.com.vn)

Ho Chi Minh City rolls out electronic health records on digital citizen app

Under the plan, each resident will be assigned a unique EHR linked to their personal identification number, ensuring accuracy and consistency while minimising duplication and data discrepancies. Health data will be continuously updated from medical facilities, routine check-ups, and screening programmes, then integrated and centrally displayed on the application.

At the Government’s regular press briefing (Photo: VNA)

Hospital duo on track for Q2 opening as roadblocks vanish

The Health Ministry has worked in lockstep with the Ministry of Construction to clear cost-appraisal and contract-approval bottlenecks, with the process now flowing smoothly. It has also teamed up with the construction and defence ministries to press contractors to accelerate outstanding licensing requirements, including fire safety and waste treatment systems.

A kidney transplant performed at the Hue Central Hospital. (Photo published by VNA)

Six lives extended through single organ donation

When one heart stops beating so that others may live on, it represents not only a medical transfer but also a continuation of compassion and humanity, said Professor Dr Pham Nhu Hiep, Director of the Hue Central Hospital.

Doctors at the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City perform colorectal cancer surgery on the Indonesian patient. (Photo: published by VNA)

Indonesian patient travels to Vietnam for colorectal cancer surgery

The successful colorectal cancer surgery for an Indonesian patient once again demonstrates the advances in the professional expertise of Vietnamese doctors and has further strengthened the country’s medical reputation and the trust of patients across the region and beyond.

Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam intensifies efforts to end malaria by 2030

In 2025, the country reported 246 cases with no deaths, down more than 30% year-on-year. In the first months of 2026, only 25 cases were recorded, again with no fatalities. So far, 26 out of 34 provinces and cities have been officially recognised as malaria-free.

Illustrative image -(Source: Internet)

Vietnam warns of HiPP baby food after Austria’s recall

The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) has announced that HiPP – a German-Swiss baby food producer – and supermarket chain SPAR had recalled all 190g-jars of HiPP Vegetable Carrot with Potato from 1,500 stores in Austria due to suspected contamination with rat poison.

The caregivers’ club in Coc village, Pu Luong commune, the north-central province of Thanh Hoa, has established a livelihood support fund, helping households develop their economies through models such as rice cultivation, vegetable growing, fish farming and poultry raising. (Photo: VNA)

Community-based child nutrition care model benefits Thanh Hoa’s locality

After more than one year of implementation with the support of World Vision, the model has delivered positive outcomes in improving nutrition and enhancing the quality of childcare. Household livelihoods have improved, mothers’ awareness and caregiving skills have been strengthened, and notably, the rate of child malnutrition in Coc has declined markedly.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duong Duc Hung, Director of Viet Duc University Hospital, presents a token of appreciation in recognition of the noble gesture of the organ donor’s family. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

British teen’s organ donation saves three Vietnamese lives

A 19-year-old British tourist who died during a trip to Vietnam has saved the lives of three Vietnamese patients with end-stage organ failure, in a deeply moving act of compassion. The young woman is the first foreign national to donate organs in Vietnam.