Rally community strength against HIV/AIDS
This year’s World AIDS Day (December 1) is observed amidst the looming spread of this deadly
disease in many countries. Since the first case of AIDS was detected in 1979, now some 45 million
people worldwide have contracted HIV and nearly 19 million have died of AIDS. It is most worrying
that the influx of this epidemic in the 90s has tripled the forecast figure ten years ago. Vietnam is no
exception. From the first case of HIV infection in 1990, now more than 26,300 Vietnamese people
are HIV positive, of whom over 4,300 cases have developed into full-blown AIDS and 2,200 people
died. Initially, HIV/AIDS was only detected in populous urban and plain areas, now the killer has
found its way to even the remote, mountainous areas, posing a threat to those of all walks of life, and
different age groups, especially the youth. The rate of HIV carriers in the 13-29 age group has
increased from 34% in 1997 to 60% at present. Most of the victims are drug addicts.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has become a pressing and complicated social problem which is not only
fatal to infected people, but also affecting future generations and family happiness, even hampering
socio-economic development. That’s why the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in Vietnam is an
urgent and long-term task which is closely associated with socio-economic development strategies in
general and with human resource development in particular. Experience drawn up from realities in
the past several years shows that the most effective way of HIV/AIDS prevention and control will
be through information, education and communication to each and every individual, family and social
organisation. The family is treated as the core of prevention, control of the disease and care of
infected patients. Advocacy efforts must include diverse information, which caters to changing
behaviour and the practice of safe sex to avoid infection. Community-based care and consultancy
for HIV carriers must be strengthened while disseminating information to the high risk target groups
such as drug addicts, prostitutes, self-employed labourers and migrants. The health sector must give
particular attention to safe blood transfusion, and other medical and social services related to
injections. Meanwhile, community-based model for consultancy and care of HIV carriers must be
replicated; interventions must be made regarding seasonal work hands. Families must be made
aware of HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Peer educators must be engaged in providing condoms
to high-risk groups such as drug addicts and prostitutes.
Each and every social organisation, family and individual in the community must make practical
contributions to global efforts against HIV/AIDS to ensure a healthy, joyful and happy life for
everyone and all society. So doing, we are responding to this year’s World AIDS Campaign of
People Make a Difference.
Nhan Dan - December 1st, 2000.
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