Vietnam Launches $15M USAID-funded HIV Prevention Program

Vietnam has launched a $15 million program on HIV prevention until 2019 with financial support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Healthy Markets program aims to encourage the investment of local private sector and foster growth of a commercial market in the Southeast Asian country. “USAID is committed to supporting sustainable approaches to improve health in Vietnam,” said Dr. Ariel Pablos-Méndez, USAID Assistant Administrator for Global Health at the launching ceremony on Oct 31. She said that the project will work with private sector actors to explore opportunities for new distribution channels and increased demand among key populations. “Ultimately, we aim for private sector-led solutions for access to and demand for the goods that are essential to a successful response to HIV in Vietnam,” Dr. Pablos-Méndez noted. In 2011, the U.S. Global Health Program launched a similar program in Vietnam to improve people’s health through supporting both public and private sectors in accessing and offering the HIV/AIDS high-risk groups with better prevention and treatment services. The $45 million program will last until 2016. Up to 75% of costs for HIV/AIDS prevention programs in Vietnam are sourced from foreign countries and organizations. (Dai Bieu Nhan Dan – People’s Deputy Nov 3 p2)