A patient receives ARV drug (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a 26 million USD project to promote and ensure sustainable HIV/AIDS prevention and combat in Vietnam, the US Embassy to Vietnam said on July 27.
USAID Vietnam Director Michael Greene said the project will extend HIV-treatment and caring services in the localities with high HIV infection rates to achieve the “90-90-90 target” set by the United Nations (UN).
Technical assistance will also be provided under the project at the central, provincial and district level to develop sustainable HIV treatment services.
In 2014, Vietnam was the first Asian nation to commit to the “90-90-90 target” set by the UN Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) to end HIV/AIDS in Vietnam by 2020.
Accordingly, 90 percent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status, 90 percent of all people diagnosed with HIV will receive sustained antiretroviral (ARV) therapy and 90 percent of all people on ARV treatment will have durable viral suppression by 2020.
USAID begun its programmes on HIV/AIDS prevention and control in Vietnam in the 90s.
In June, 2004, the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) begun providing aid for Vietnam for combating the disease.
Under the Plan, USAID has coordinated with relevant bodies from Vietnam and the US at all levels to help realise its goals in the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in Vietnam.
As of June 2015, there were 227,114 people living with HIV in Vietnam, 71,115 of whom had progressed to AIDS.-VNA
