HIV and AIDS remain a major problem in Vietnam

With an estimated 11.000 new HIV infections and 7800 AIDS-related deaths in 2016, HIV and AIDS remain a major problem in Vietnam. With the support of the Dutch embassy, ​​representatives of the most vulnerable groups for HIV infection are working on change.

In the narrow, busy streets of the District 4 and Binh Thanh neighborhoods of Ho Chi Minh City, Nienke Trooster, Dutch ambassador to Vietnam, meets representatives of the most vulnerable groups for HIV infection: drug users, male and female sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender people. To know what goes on in the lives of the different groups, such visits are indispensable.

Change

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the European Union and other donors, funds various programs and partnerships in Vietnam: Move Forwards, Bridging the Gaps, Asia Action, and the Partnership to Inspire, Transform and Connect the HIV response (PITCH). These programs support the Vietnamese groups most vulnerable to HIV infection. The aim is to jointly change AIDS policy in Vietnam.

Voluntary treatment

The partnerships in Vietnam have been active for some time now, and with results. Partly thanks to support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sex workers are no longer sent to detention centres. Legislation concerning drug users will be amended, with the hope that fewer drug users will be compulsorily admitted to rehab; instead, societal and voluntary treatment models are tested.

HIV prevention

The programs and partnerships are of great value, because strengthening and working with civil society organizations ensures that change can be achieved. They know through their own network what is going on in society. That makes it clear what changes are needed. such as HIV prevention, testing and treatment, social security for vulnerable groups and health insurance.