Ways to eradicate discrimination against HIV/AIDS discussed
Discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS in families, work places and health care establishments is hindering Vietnam’s HIV/AIDS prevention efforts.
A patient with HIV/AIDS is given consultation on his situation. (Source: VNA)Discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS in families, work places and health care establishments is hindering Vietnam’s HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, as heard a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on October 9.
Held by the Health Ministry’s Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, the Department of Judicial Support under the Ministry of Justice and the municipal Committee for AIDS Prevention and Control , the event aimed to call for an end to discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS, thus enhancing judicial assistance for them.
According to Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh, Deputy Director of the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Vietnam has reaped positive results in its fight against HIV/AIDS in the last decade.
In 2006-2007, around 30,000 new HIV cases were reported each year. The figure now stands at 12,000, down over 50 percent, Canh said.
Dr. Do Huu Thuy from the department said community discrimination makes it difficult to combat HIV/AIDS, increasing infection risks and restricting a number of basic civil rights.
Additionally, the situation also limits the effectiveness of current management, care, medical treatment and consultation supply for people with HIV/AIDS, he noted.
Vietnam will encounter difficulties in achieving its goal of AIDS elimination by 2030 if discrimination persists, Thuy stressed, elaborating that fear of shame and stigma will keep high-risk HIV/AIDS groups from seeking care, testing and antiretroviral (ARV) treatment or disclosing their status to partners.
Representatives from the Department of Judicial Support introduced participants to coordination principles in fighting HIV/AIDS and judicial assistance for people living with HIV. They also highlighted the role played by local-level health and judicial departments in the field.
Implementing coordination efforts in fighting HIV/AIDS in localities will not only help those living with HIV/AIDS access judicial support services but also raise awareness among medical staff and judicial assistants who directly work in the field.-VNA
You should also see
InfographicADB maintains 2024 economic growth forecast for Vietnam
In its April 2024 Asian Development Outlook (ADO) report, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has maintained its earlier forecast for Vietnam’s economic growth this year, despite ongoing uncertainties from the external environment. Vietnam’s economy is expected to achieve a growth rate of 6.0% in 2024 and 6.2% in 2025.
See more
Health
Free surgeries offered for cleft palate children in Thua Thien-Hue
About 80 children with cleft palate in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue and surrounding localities are to receive free check-ups and surgeries from now until April 18.
Health
Vietnam to host first int’l airway management conference
International airway experts from across the world, including the United Kingdom, United States of America, France, Italy, New Zealand, and experts from Vietnam will gather at the first South East Asian Conference of the World Alliance of Airway Management (WAAM) in Hanoi on April 13-14.
Health
Health insurance coverage necessary for all TB patients: Deputy PM
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on April 8 requested the Ministry of Health to work with the Vietnam Social Security and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to provide health insurance coverage for all tuberculosis (TB) patients.
Health
Blood donation – journey of love sharing
April 7 was designated as the “All People’s Voluntary Blood Donation Day” 24 years ago and, ever since, the blood donation movement has attracted the participation of tens of thousands of people across the country.
Health
Hundreds of thousands to be screened for chronic diseases through AI platforms
Hundreds of thousands of people will be screened for cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases through AI platforms this year, and over 20,000 patients will be advised to undergo testing to assess chronic kidney disease.
