HIV infected children receive care (Photo: VNA) Yen Bai (VNA) – The northern mountainous province of Yen Bai has carried out a lot of measures to protect and care for children affected by HIV/AIDS.
The province has more than 2,000 children affected by HIV/AIDS, of whom 70 are living with HIV and 460 at high risk of getting HIV.
To date, over 95 percent of these children have been provided with services in health, education, nutrition and entertainment, and social welfare policies, depending on their age and demand.
All local HIV/AIDS treatment clinics and staff were equipped with knowledge and skills on caring for children affected by this disease.
The provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs guided its sub-departments at the city, district and town levels to implement the Prime Minister’s decision on taking action for children affected by HIV/AIDS, and expand care services for the needy at high-risk communes.
The department has also coordinated with the HIV/AIDS Prevention Centre in stepping up communications to avoid discriminations against HIV/AIDS-affected children and in providing them with free check-ups, consultations and treatment.
The children have been provided with health insurance cards, while those at high risk of getting HIV have received early screening tests.
Since 2012, the Department of Child Care and Protection under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and several non-governmental organisations have supported Yen Bai in implementing a project on connecting services for children affected by HIV/AIDS in several communes in the mountainous districts of Van Yen and Van Chan, benefiting hundreds of children.
As a mountainous province inhabited by many ethnic minority people with limited awareness, Yen Bai will continue stepping up measures to change locals’ awareness in order to make a breakthrough in the protection and care for HIV/AIDS-affected children.
It will also work to attract more financial assistance from central agencies and social organisations to do this work effectively.-VNA
VNA
