U.S. Promotes HIV Prevention in Vietnam through Culture and Consultations

Officials from the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam have promoted HIV prevention in the Southeast Asian country through culture and consultation activities, as part of social charity programs to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the bilateral normalization. A delegation of the embassy’s officials has held consultations to inform about operational planning for HIV/AIDS control in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien, the location having the highest rate of HIV infection with 1,029 HIV-caught people per 100,000 population, compared to the national average of 248. The activities are in line with HIV/AIDS control programs receiving support by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). To further disseminate important information on HIV prevention, care and treatment services, and address stigma and discrimination against those affected by HIV/AIDS, the embassy will promote culture and consultations to other provinces of Lao Cai, Can Tho and An Giang later this month. Vietnam has about 224,000 HIV/AIDS-caught people, ranking 5th in the Asia-Pacific, behind India, China, Indonesia and Thailand. (vietnam.usembassy.gov Mar 10, Lao Dong – Labor Mar 11 p6)