An HIV-infected patient is consulted on treatment. (Photo: VNA) The plan, known as 55/KH-UBND dated February 20, aims to reach thegoal of reducing the number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths andend the AIDS epidemic in the city by 2030 as well as minimise the impact of theHIV/AIDS epidemic on socio-economic development.
According to the plan, this year, the city strives for 90% ofpeople living with HIV will know their HIV infection status while 90% of peopleliving with HIV on the management list are treated with anti-retroviral (ARV)drugs and 98% of patients on ARV have an HIV viral load below the suppressionthreshold.
The plan also sets out specific targets that this year 500 new HIVinfections will be detected, 80% of drug addicts will have access to a needleand syringe programme, 65% of female prostitutes will have access to a condomprogramme, and 65% of men who have sex with men (MSM) will have access to acondom and lubricant programme.
Under the plan, the health care sector will complete 300 keymonitoring samples as prescribed by the Ministry of Health, and ensure 14,350people living with HIV/AIDS will maintain on antiretroviral therapy while 633HIV-infected people will start antiretroviral therapy, and 11,112 people livingwith HIV/AIDS who are on ARV will be tested for HIV load in monitoring ARV.
To achieve the above objectives, the municipal People's Committeeproposed three groups of solutions including prevention and harm reductioninterventions; HIV/AIDS testing and surveillance; and treatment and care forpeople living with HIV.
Specifically, for the solution of prevention and harm reductioninterventions, the city will improve the quality of information, education andcommunication work; reduce stigma and discrimination related to HIV; and expandand renew interventions to reduce harm and prevent HIV infection.
Regarding testing and surveillance, the health care sector mustincrease HIV testing counselling, diversify HIV testing and counsellingservices, promote HIV testing in grass-roots health facilities, expand testingin the community and mobile testing and self-testing at home.
It is necessary to strengthen co-operation with projects and NGOsto implement testing activity and HIV detection in the community.
In addition, the city will enhance the sharing and use of data inHIV/AIDS prevention and control and establish systems of case monitoring fromHIV infection to treatment participation, treatment facility transfer,treatment quality, and treatment adherence for each HIV-infected person.
HIV infected persons will be treated with ARVs as soon as they arediagnosed.
HIV/AIDS treatment in prisons and drug rehabilitationestablishments will be maintained while HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)treatment will be provided to those who are at risk of HIV infection.
The committee asked the health department and relevant offices ofall districts and communes to set key targets for the implementation of theHIV/AIDS prevention and control plan in 2023.
Moreover, it is necessary to accelerate the work of education anddissemination on HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Accordingly, civil servantsand public employees should actively approach and mobilise relatives andfriends, especially those at high-risk of being infected with HIV to test andaccess consultation and treatment.
The people's committees of districts, communes and towns shalldevelop plans and monitor, inspect, and assign targets for the implementationof the city’s HIV/AIDS prevention and control plan in 2023./.
VNA
