The biggest problem for the prevention and fight against HIV/AIDS is budget shortage, said Vice Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Social Affairs Dang Thuan Phong.

Addressing a recent workshop in Hai Phong on HIV/AIDS control policies, the law maker said foreign aid for the work has been reducing as Vietnam enters the group of middle income countries. The government also plans to abolish the national target programme on preventing and fighting HIV/AIDS, drug and prostitutions, which means the work will no longer receive priority in investment, he said.

Meanwhile, the country continues to aim higher in this field, targeting providing ARV treatment for 100,000 HIV carriers from the current 48,000, and Methadone therapy for 80,000 drug users by the end of next year compared to the current 16,000.

Kristan Schoultz, UNAIDS Vietnam Country Director, suggested that Vietnam needs bold decisions and actions right now to sustain the results of the past 25-year effort in HIV/AIDS control. 

She said the initiative on development of a strategic investment case for HIV aims to provide an effective tool to inform decision making in the allocation and optimisation of resources for HIV/AIDS control activities.

Participants at the workshop were also introduced to the national investment strategy on HIV/AIDS control in the 2015-2020 period.-VNA