A month-long campaign of information about preventing HIV/AIDS
Ha Noi, Nov. 8 (VNA) -- A month-long campaign of information about preventing HIV/AIDS will be launched by the Viet Nam AIDS Committee, beginning Nov. 15, in response to World AIDS Day (Dec. 1).
A press briefing was held by the National Committees for AIDS, and drug and prostitution and the Health Ministry in Ha Noi on Nov. 7 to introduce the campaign.
The campaign, with the same topic of the World AIDS Day of "Men Can Change the Course of the AIDS Epidemic", aims to highlight mens' role in HIV/AIDS prevention and to introduce experiences and examples in the fight against the epidemic. The campaign will encourage people of all walks of life to take part in HIV/AIDS control.
The National Committees for AIDS, and drug and prostitution will organize activities to provide information and advice on HIV/AIDS, focusing on remote and isolated areas and high-risk groups of drug addicts and prostitutes.
During the past ten years, the Vietnamese Government has spent more than VND 400 billion (roughly USD 28.57 million) on HIV/AIDS control, providing 70 percent of the population with basic knowledge on HIV/AIDS spread and control.
By the end of October this year, 26,333 people had been tested HIV positive, 9,203 cases more than last year's figure. It is estimated that 150,000 people in Viet Nam may be HIV/AIDS positive, 400,000 lower than predictions by international experts in 1993.--
