The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho has met many of its goals set for combating HIV/AIDS, particularly in reducing the numbers of new infections, AIDs patients and deaths.
Deputy Director of the city’s Health Department Cao Minh Chu reported the progress at a conference on January 16, adding that the city is among 10 provinces and cities nationwide that recorded a reduction in new HIV infection cases last year.
The medical sector found 273 new infections in the city in 2014, down 19.9 percent from the previous year, while the number of HIV carriers progressing to AIDS dropped by 4.6 percent year on year to 61. This was also the first time since 2002 the number of new HIV infections has dropped to under 300.
Can Tho will push forward with efforts to realise the Three-Zero target of no new HIV infection, no death from AIDS and no discrimination against HIV/AIDS carriers.
The locality plans to improve its medical services, particularly in HIV test, the provision of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission.
According to Can Tho Health Department, by the end of 2014, the city recorded 5,460 HIV carriers, of which 1,800 had developed AIDS. More than 2,000 people have died from HIV/AIDS in the city so far.-VNA
