Private sector encouraged to engage to fight HIV/AIDS

Vietnam has encouraged the private sector to help achieve the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

The private sector has actively participated in combating HIV/AIDS in Vietnam, helping to increase patients’ access to related services. Since 2015 more than 140,000 high-risk inpiduals have been tested for HIV/AIDS via community and social organizations. Most tested positive for the first time. Networks of peers have expanded.

Community-based organizations have played an increasingly important role in approaching high-risk groups. A wide range of prevention programs have been operating effectively thanks to the remarkable contributions of the private sector.

Domestic businesses are now able to supply 100% of the demands for Methadone, a drug treating heroin addiction.

Nguyen Hoang Long, head of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department stressed the need to adopt policies to encourage more engagement by the private sector.

He said, “AIDS response needs customized measures because HIV is stigmatized in our society. That’s why it’s easier for the private sector, especially the community, to approach the problem. It’s difficult for state medical agencies to deal with the problem without private sector involvement. In the long run, we need the private sector’s participation.”

Localities have called on citizens to join the effort to eliminate HIV/AIDS. Le Thanh Chung, Deputy Director of the Disease Control Center of the Health Department of Da Nang city, said, “The municipal agencies and social communities are working together to fight HIV/AIDS. Youth Union members are exemplary in joining the health sector’s communication campaigns to prevent HIV from spreading and reduce the stigma of HIV carriers.”

In addition to health coverage through social health insurance and public financing, mobilizing the private funding is crucial to implementing the Joint United Nations Program on 90-90-90 targets by 2020 and ending AIDS by 2030.

The 90-90-90 targets are 90% of people living with HIV know their status, of whom 90% are on treatment, of whom 90% are virally suppressed.