VN acts to erase maternal transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis

Vietnam acts to erase maternal transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis

The Department of Maternal and Child Health under the Ministry of Health (MoH) held a workshop in the central city of Da Nang on March 19 to launch a national action plan on the eradication of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis in the 2018-2030 period.
Vietnam acts to erase maternal transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis ảnh 1At the workshop (Photo: VNA)
Da Nang (VNA) – The Department of Maternal and Child Healthunder the Ministry of Health (MoH) held a workshop in the central city of DaNang on March 19  to launch a nationalaction plan on the eradication of mother-to-child transmission of HIV,hepatitis B and syphilis in the 2018-2030 period. 

The event was participated by leaders of thehealth departments of central provinces and cities from Nghe An to Phu Yen.

Director of the Department of Maternal and Child Health Nguyen Duc Vinhsaid mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis caused negativeimpacts on mother and children health. Especially in remote, mountainous andborder regions and islands, limited access to medical services hinders the eradicationof those diseases, he said.

Vinh proposed participants map out action plans at the provincial leveland mention current difficulties and solutions to carry out the national actionplan in respective localities in the time ahead. 

The Department of Maternal and Child Health noted that Vietnam has anaverage of nearly 2 million pregnant women each year, with the HIV infectionrate in pregnant women standing at 0.19 percent. As a result, up to 1,520babies are born with HIV annually as without intervention, the mother-to-childtransmission rate could reach about 40 percent.

The rate of hepatitis B infection in pregnantwomen in Vietnam is relatively high, ranging from 9.5 percent to 13 percent.Hence, women are advised to take a test for the hepatitis B virus beforepregnancy and re-take the test when they are expecting if necessary. 

Meanwhile, the number of infants born with syphilis has also shown signsof increasing. However, only less than 16 percent of expectant mothers takescreening tests for syphilis.

The MoH has instructed the Department of Maternal and Child Health todevise an annual plan to guide, supervise and coordinate the plan’s activities,as well as provide technical assistance on the prevention of those diseases inmedical examination and treatment system in obstetrics and paediatrics.

Furthermore, refresher courses will be held regularly to updateknowledge and improve skills for healthcare workers.

Statistics from the World Health Organisation(WHO) showed that in the Western Pacific region, about 180,000 children areinfected with the hepatitis B virus annually, while 13,000 and 1,400 others arediagnosed with syphilis and HIV infections, respectively.

The WHO Western Pacific Region have devised aplanning framework to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitisB, and syphilis in the 2018-2030 period, part of a bid to contribute to theimplementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Strategy forWomen's, Children's, and Adolescents' Health 2016-2030. In addition, the WHOadvised members to build respective national action plans on the tripleelimination of those diseases in 2030.–VNA 
VNA

See more

Mr. Gilberto recovered well after treatment at Hong Ngoc General Hospital.

US veteran calls Vietnamese doctors “heroes” after life-saving treatment.

After being assisted on a medically supported flight back to the United States for continued treatment, Gilberto’s health condition showed positive improvement. From afar, he later sent a heartfelt video message expressing gratitude to the medical team at Hong Ngoc General Hospital, the people he called “heroes.”

Residents in Hanoi's Bach Mai ward receive free health check-ups. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam moves toward universal free annual health checkups from 2026

Every Vietnamese citizen from 2026 onward will be entitled to at least one free annual medical checkup or screening. Each individual will also have a digital health record integrated into the national digital identification platform VNeID, enabling authorities and healthcare providers to manage health data in a synchronised and continuous manner.

Ho Chi Minh City's digital citizen application (Photo: nld.com.vn)

Ho Chi Minh City rolls out electronic health records on digital citizen app

Under the plan, each resident will be assigned a unique EHR linked to their personal identification number, ensuring accuracy and consistency while minimising duplication and data discrepancies. Health data will be continuously updated from medical facilities, routine check-ups, and screening programmes, then integrated and centrally displayed on the application.

At the Government’s regular press briefing (Photo: VNA)

Hospital duo on track for Q2 opening as roadblocks vanish

The Health Ministry has worked in lockstep with the Ministry of Construction to clear cost-appraisal and contract-approval bottlenecks, with the process now flowing smoothly. It has also teamed up with the construction and defence ministries to press contractors to accelerate outstanding licensing requirements, including fire safety and waste treatment systems.

A kidney transplant performed at the Hue Central Hospital. (Photo published by VNA)

Six lives extended through single organ donation

When one heart stops beating so that others may live on, it represents not only a medical transfer but also a continuation of compassion and humanity, said Professor Dr Pham Nhu Hiep, Director of the Hue Central Hospital.

Doctors at the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City perform colorectal cancer surgery on the Indonesian patient. (Photo: published by VNA)

Indonesian patient travels to Vietnam for colorectal cancer surgery

The successful colorectal cancer surgery for an Indonesian patient once again demonstrates the advances in the professional expertise of Vietnamese doctors and has further strengthened the country’s medical reputation and the trust of patients across the region and beyond.

Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam intensifies efforts to end malaria by 2030

In 2025, the country reported 246 cases with no deaths, down more than 30% year-on-year. In the first months of 2026, only 25 cases were recorded, again with no fatalities. So far, 26 out of 34 provinces and cities have been officially recognised as malaria-free.

Illustrative image -(Source: Internet)

Vietnam warns of HiPP baby food after Austria’s recall

The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) has announced that HiPP – a German-Swiss baby food producer – and supermarket chain SPAR had recalled all 190g-jars of HiPP Vegetable Carrot with Potato from 1,500 stores in Austria due to suspected contamination with rat poison.

The caregivers’ club in Coc village, Pu Luong commune, the north-central province of Thanh Hoa, has established a livelihood support fund, helping households develop their economies through models such as rice cultivation, vegetable growing, fish farming and poultry raising. (Photo: VNA)

Community-based child nutrition care model benefits Thanh Hoa’s locality

After more than one year of implementation with the support of World Vision, the model has delivered positive outcomes in improving nutrition and enhancing the quality of childcare. Household livelihoods have improved, mothers’ awareness and caregiving skills have been strengthened, and notably, the rate of child malnutrition in Coc has declined markedly.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duong Duc Hung, Director of Viet Duc University Hospital, presents a token of appreciation in recognition of the noble gesture of the organ donor’s family. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

British teen’s organ donation saves three Vietnamese lives

A 19-year-old British tourist who died during a trip to Vietnam has saved the lives of three Vietnamese patients with end-stage organ failure, in a deeply moving act of compassion. The young woman is the first foreign national to donate organs in Vietnam.