Vietnam’s health sector will spread the antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to cover early-stage HIV carriers, raising the number of the benefited to 105,000 in 2015. The news was unveiled at a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on December 26. The Ministry of Public Heath’s Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control reported that there were 318 outpatient clinics nationwide as by August, 2014, giving ARV treatment to 88,600 patients, or 37% of total HIV victims alive. Besides, up to 93% of the drug used for ARV treatment in Vietnam comes from foreign aid. In 2015, the department will priorities the treatment for those vulnerable to the virus such as sex workers, homosexuals, pregnant women and children aged below 5. The treatment will also come to prisons, using advanced technologies in management. As of this September, the nation recorded 220,000 cases of HIV infection and nearly 70,000 fatalities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the ARV use, particularly in the early stage of the disease, can cause huge reduction in rates of death and suffering. Since 2013, WHO has recommended the treatment in preventing HIV infection, particularly for pregnant women, young children, and populations exposed to HIV risk. (Vov Jan 1)
