Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention Launched

A national action month for HIV/AIDS prevention was started on November 10 to increase government involvement in preventing new incidences of HIV/AIDS. The event also aims to implement the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in Vietnam till 2020, with a vision to 2030 by encouraging all Vietnamese citizens to be involved in HIV/AIDS prevention. The campaign is expected to raise people's awareness of HIV prevention, focusing on vulnerable groups, living in remote areas and ethnic minorities. It will improve the quality of preventative measures and treatment and care services for HIV/AIDS patients and their families. Seminars will be held during the month to help minimize the negative impact of HIV prevention among high-risk people, and accelerate HIV/AIDS prevention activities along border, remote and ethnic minority areas. Campaigners have also planned activities geared towards communication, such as meetings, support groups and a parade. The event was launched by the National Steering Committee for HIV/AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution Prevention and Control in response to the World AIDS Campaign and World AIDS Day. (vov.vn Nov 13)