Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW dated October 25, 2017 of the Central Executive Committee on strengthening the protection, care and improvement of people's health, set the goal that by 2030, Vietnam will basically end the AIDS epidemic.
In 2024, our country has chosen the theme for the National Action Month for HIV/AIDS prevention and control as: "Fairness and equality in access to HIV/AIDS prevention and control services - Towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030". This does not mean that there will be no more people infected with HIV, no more people dying from AIDS, but that AIDS will no longer be a worrying health issue in the community.
In Can Tho City, the health sector has been resolutely implementing solutions to achieve the common goal of the whole country, not only propaganda work but also promoting professional activities and providing prevention and control services.
Mr. Pham Phu Truong Giang - Deputy Director of Can Tho City Department of Health, said that the number of new HIV cases detected in the past 2 years has continued to decrease, the number of deaths has also decreased, and discrimination against people infected with HIV has decreased... Can Tho has continuously maintained for many years that no children born to HIV-infected mothers are infected with HIV.
However, with its position as the center of the Mekong Delta region, the burden of HIV/AIDS in Can Tho City is still very large. As of October 31, 2024, the cumulative number of people infected with HIV detected in Can Tho is 7,732; of which, 2,782 people died, the number of people infected with HIV who are still alive and can be managed is 4,950 people.
According to the health sector, the highest number of newly detected HIV cases is among men who have sex with men (MSM). These are hidden populations, making them difficult to reach and difficult to implement necessary interventions.
Regarding this issue, Mr. Huynh Thuong Dinh - Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union of Can Tho College of Culture and Arts proposed solutions, it is necessary to identify the right target group to have appropriate communication measures; diversify the ways of providing HIV/AIDS prevention materials; improve the quality of HIV/AIDS prevention materials or more specifically, improve the quality of condoms, lubricants, etc. to avoid the situation where materials are distributed but cannot be used.
Deputy Director of Can Tho City Department of Health Pham Phu Truong Giang said that, aiming at the goal set by the health sector, the city will inspect and supervise localities and units implementing the Action Month. Steering Committee 138 of districts/counties urgently develops, promulgates and implements the Action Month plan; pays attention to directing communes/wards/towns in the area to successfully implement the Action Month and allocates more funds for communication activities on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
"The District Health Center directs the Health Station, the network of collaborators, and community outreach workers to promote HIV/AIDS prevention, care, support, and treatment services; especially services to support behavior change, practice safe behaviors, prevent HIV infection, and reduce stigma and discrimination related to HIV/AIDS," Mr. Giang informed.
On the afternoon of November 14, 2024, Can Tho City Department of Health - Deputy Head of Steering Committee 138 of the city held a conference to deploy the National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control. The Action Month takes place from November 10 to December 10. The peak is from November 20 to December 5.
