Towards ending AIDS epidemic by 2030

Currently, there is no cure or vaccine for HIV/AIDS, which not only poses significant challenges to the long-term health of those affected but also has negative impacts on socio-economic development and the well-being of the community. Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee has issued a HIV/AIDS prevention and control plan 2025 – 2030 towards ending the AIDS epidemic in Khanh Hoa Province by 2030.

Many key targets

The general target is to promote HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities to reduce new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, towards ending the AIDS epidemic in the province by 2030, and minimizing the impact of HIV/AIDS on socio-economic development.

Provincial Center for Disease Control doctor gives medical advice to a high-risk person.

By 2030, the plan aims to achieve key targets, including ensuring that 80% of individuals with high-risk behaviors have access to HIV-related support services; 95% of people living with HIV are aware of their HIV status; 95% receive antiretroviral treatment; and 95% of those undergoing treatment maintain a viral load below the suppression threshold.

Additionally, mother-to-child HIV transmission should be reduced to below 2%, and the mortality rate from HIV/AIDS less than 1/100,000. Other targets include at least 50% of drug addicts treated with drug substitution therapy; 80% of young people aged 15 to 24 fully informed of HIV/AIDS; 80% of people aged 15 to 49 without HIV-related stigma and discrimination; 100% of people with HIV covered by medical insurance.

According to Ton That Toan, Deputy Director in charge of the Provincial Center for Disease Control, to achieve the above targets, the plan proposes measures to strengthen the leadership of Party committees and authorities at all levels, inter-sectoral coordination in HIV/AIDS prevention and control; mobilize community participation; ensure equal access to HIV/AIDS prevention and control services, etc.

“The health sector will improve HIV treatment and prevention with priority given to HIV prevention interventions for high-risk groups; expand HIV/AIDS treatment to many other facilities and organizations with the participation of the private medical facilities; innovate communication to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination; diversify models of providing needles/syringes and condoms; promoting HIV testing counseling and epidemic surveillance,” said Dr. Ton That Toan.

Satisfactory results achieved

Last year, the provincial health sector in general and the provincial Center for Disease Control in particular synchronously implemented many HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities and achieved some positive results. Accordingly, nearly 1,260 people infected with HIV are getting ARV treatment (anti-HIV drug used to treat retroviral infections, primarily in the management of HIV/AIDS).

The health sector also successfully implemented a model to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, providing HIV counseling and testing for more than 11,000 pregnant women, 3 of whom were found to be infected with HIV (all cases were treated with ARV drugs). In addition, the number of addicts with access to the clean needle and syringe program was nearly 790; those treated with Methadone for opioid addiction is more than 290, etc.

The provincial Center for Disease Control coordinated with departments and organizations to conduct many HIV/AIDS prevention and control communication sessions; organized nearly 15 PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) communication sessions for more than 200 men having homosexual sexual practices; coordinated with 10 high schools to organize communication sessions about the epidemic, including HIV/AIDS, for more than 5,000 students.

Tran Quoc Hoan, a student of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School, Cam Ranh City said, “The communication provided us valuable insights into the harmful effects and sources of HIV transmission. This knowledge helps us to avoid risks, foster understanding and eliminate discrimination against those living with HIV.”

The HIV/AIDS prevention and control action plan for the period 2025–2030 outlines a series of effective and coordinated measures aimed at ending the AIDS epidemic in the province by 2030.

C.D

Translated by N.T