Vietnam’s military geared up for fight against AIDS
Resource type: News
Officials from the US Department of Defence provided 30 Vietnamese military doctors and nurses with specialised training in HIV/AIDS testing and counseling in Ho Chi Minh City on Dec. 9.
The training was conducted within the framework of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and as part of a field cooperation programme carried out by the two countries’ armies.
As well as the Dec. 9 training session, the US Department of Defence will further assist their Vietnamese counterparts in the establishment of six additional facilities to provide volunteer HIV/AIDS testing and counseling services to Vietnam ‘s military healthcare system.
One such facility is already operational at the Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, thanks to the cooperation programme.
A training course was held recently in Nghe An province to raise awareness among border guards and border area residents of HIV preventative measures and to reduce discrimination against HIV/AIDS sufferers.
PEPFAR, managed by the US Department of Defence, has assisted the Vietnam Defence Ministry in the prevention of HIV/AIDS, as well as care, treatment and the strengthening of the army’s HIV prevention and control network.
It has granted 3.8 million USD, from its total annual budget of 88.5 million USD, to Vietnam for the implementation of this programme.
Since 2004, PEPFAR has provided 232 million USD to support the provision of comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment services in Vietnam.