Vietnam reconfirms its commitment to and determination in implementing the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, said a Vietnamese diplomat.

Ambassador Bui The Giang, Deputy Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN made the confirmation at the UN General Assembly Plenary Meeting in New York on June 17.

“It is along this line that Viet Nam has done its utmost to take care of almost 170,000 Vietnamese living with HIV/AIDS while trying to reverse the spread of the epidemic which has, up to now, taken lives of over 41,000 of our compatriots,” the Vietnamese diplomat said.

He said Vietnam has continuously improved HIV/AIDS control legal and executive systems, including the enactment of the Law on HIV/AIDS Control, the National HIV/AIDS Control Strategy, and 9 Programs of Action, and the establishment of HIV/AIDS Control Centers in 61 out of total 63 provinces and cities of the country.

The Vietnamese Ambassador, however, highlighted many challenges to Vietnam in the fight against HIV/AIDS, including weak personnel and equipment of HIV/AIDS control centres, limited fund and lack of medicines for adequate treatment of patients, among others.

Ambassador Giang said “in order for these challenges to be dealt with effectively, apart from our own efforts, international cooperation and assistance are much needed.” “We call for continued cooperation and assistance from the United Nations system, its member States, and international and non-governmental organizations, while staying ready to share our modest practical experiences in this field,” he concluded./.