Vietnam Launches HIV Self-Testing Service under U.S. Support

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health on Aug 26 launched the first-ever HIV self-testing service in the country as part of programs receiving financial support by the U.S. government. It is part of components in the Healthy Markets project began in 2015 under the support of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The launching of the service marked the participation of the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius. He said at the launching ceremony “Now, our Vietnamese and American partnership is launching HIV self-testing, which puts testing directly in the hands of the individuals. HIV testing has never been as simple as it is with a self-test. Anyone at risk can learn their HIV status confidentially, privately, and in a safe way.” The service helps Vietnam increase access to HIV testing and normalize it as other over-the-counter rapid tests do like those for diabetes and pregnancy. The move will enable Vietnam to achieve the 90-90-90 goals set for HIV control by 2020, including 90% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 90% of people diagnosed with HIV infection receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 90% of people provided antiretroviral therapy having viral suppression. So far, Vietnam has more than half of 260,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in all cities and provinces nationwide receiving antiretroviral therapy, according to Nguyen Hoang Long, deputy minister of the MoH. HIV/AIDS-infected people in Vietnam are mainly young and in working ages. The country has launched antiretroviral (ARV) programs to help improve life of people living with HIV. (Thanh Nien – Young People Aug 27, Baotintuc.vn Aug 27)