The World Bank (WB) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) have pledged to further provide $9 billion for a HIV/AIDS prevention project in Vietnam this year. The funding is expected to help to minimize the fatal rate of HIV/AIDS-infected people.Earlier, the $65 million project funded by the WB and the DFID was carried out in 42 provinces and cities across the country between June 2005 and Dec 2012.The project helped contribute to reducing the rate of HIV/AIDS infections to less than 3.6% among female prostitutes; less than 0.3% among the community in 2012 and lessen negative impacts of HIV/AIDS on socio-economic development.According to the Department for HIV/AIDS Prevention under the Ministry of Health, more than 206,000 people were found positive to HIV, including 59,000 AIDS-caught people and 62,000 AIDS-caused deaths as of Dec 2012.There are also warnings of rapid increases in HIV infections among communities in mountainous areas. The northern mountainous province Dien Bien reports the highest rate with 980 per 100,000 residents.In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, HIV rates are forecast to increase among same-sex partners and the estimated number of patients needing antiretroviral therapy will reach more than 140,000 by 2015. (vov.vn Jan 3, vietnamplus.vn Dec)
