Vietnam Records 10,000 New Cases of HIV Every Year: Ministry

Vietnam ranks fifth in Asia-Pacific in HIV infections, recording 10,000 new cases of HIV every year, figures announced by the Ministry of Heath at a ceremony in Danang last week. The event aims to respond to the national action month for HIV/AIDS prevention and control, and marks World AIDS Day. The year 2016 marked the ninth consecutive year Vietnam has witnessed a reduction in the number of new HIV infections, cases of HIV developing into full-blown AIDS, and AIDS-related fatalities, said Nguyen Thanh Long, Deputy Health Minister. The Deputy Minister called for a drastic and joint effort to combat HIV/AIDS, with focus on early HIV/AIDS screening and testing. Vietnam has actively responded to the 90-90-90 goals set by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UN AIDS), that ensures at least 90% of all people with HIV will know their status, and that 90% of people diagnosed with HIV will receive sustained antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, and 90% of all people receiving ARV therapy will be diagnosed with viral suppression. (Nguoi Lao Dong – Laborer Nov 28 p2, dantri.com.vn Nov 27)