Vietnam appreciates US support for HIV control
Vietnam highly values the US’s support for its fight against HIV/AIDS, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told US Global AIDS Coordinator Ambassador Eric Goosby during their meeting in Hanoi on May 7.
Phuc, who is also head of the National Committee for HIV, AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention and Control, told the guest that Vietnam has approved a national strategy on HIV prevention and control by 2020 while focusing on preventive measures against the disease in the country’s key localities.
To maintain achievements attained in the field, he suggested the US continue support for Vietnam by providing it with anti-HIV medicines such as ARV and methadone as well as joining hands with the country in building plans to transfer the assistance programmes.
Goosby praised Vietnam’s achievements in preventing and fighting AIDS, as well as its activeness in tackling difficulties as foreign aid is more limited.
During his two-day visit, he worked with the Ministry of Health and the National Assembly Committee for Social Affairs as well as visited several establishments that treat HIV patients and drug addicts by methadone.
After hearing reports on the efficiency of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in Vietnam, the ambassador affirmed that he will do his utmost to help Vietnam fight this fatal disease.
He expressed his hope that Vietnam will continue efforts to fulfill its national strategy on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
