No new HIV infections expected

Under the Instruction, the Government chief asks the Ministry of Health to host the appraisal of the implementation of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Fight Law and propose necessary amendments; and closely follow and strengthen risk-reducing interference measures, with focus on therapies using alternative drugs.

The Ministry of Health is to organize the implementation of the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Fight till 2020 and with vision to 2030, the National Target Program on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Fight in 2012-2015 to realize the targets of 3 “Nos”: No new HIV infections, no fatalities caused by AIDS, and no discrimination against people having HIV/AIDS in Vietnam.

The Ministry is also to expand and improve the quality of care and treatment for people having HIV/AIDS, including mother-to-child transmission prevention, and availability of ARV medicines.

Loans and jobs for HIV carriers

According to the Instruction, the Ministry of Finance is to host and coordinate with relevant agencies to guide the use of funds to implement HIV/AIDS prevention and fight activities in agencies, organizations and enterprises; build up preferential treatment mechanisms and policies for enterprises that employ HIV carriers.

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs is to host and coordinate with the State Bank of Vietnam, the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Social Polices and relevant agencies to research into and build up mechanisms and policies on assisting loan access and employment for people having HIV, affected by HIV/AIDS or under detoxification treatment using alternative drugs.

 Ensuring that children having HIV/AIDS go to school

 The PM has required the Ministry of Education and Training to speed up HIV/AIDS prevention and fight in educational establishments, and embed the activity in sex and reproductive health education. 

The ministry is to host and coordinate with the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies to make, issue and guide the implementation of mechanisms and policies on ensuring children having or affected by HIV/AIDS go to school.

 The Vietnam Social Insurance is to coordinate with the Ministry of Health to expand provision of medical checkups and treatment to people having HIV/AIDS via health insurance networks.

By Vien Phuong