When WHO recommended the pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV infection (PrEP) program back in July 2017, Vietnam was one of the first countries registered to apply this model, said Associate Professor Phan Thị Thu Hương, Deputy Head of Department of HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
At that time, there were 1,800 people aged from 18 to 25 registered to join the program with Vietnam's Ministry of Health (MOH). They used medicines provided by MOH in 18 months and in that time there were no new cases of infection relating to this group of people.
That was a positive signal to extend the program to other provinces of Vietnam
The two biggest sponsors of the pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV infection program was The President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. With their support, the program was extended fast, from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Until now there are 27 provinces/cities in Vietnam have implemented the program.
Besides, many clinics in Vietnam also implemented the program. There are 100 clinics specialized in pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV infection in Vietnam, both public and privately owned. After 3 years of implementation, 12,000 people are still using the program to prevent HIV infections.
PrEP is a breakthrough program that helps to decrease the chance of HIV infection by more than 92% if using daily./.
