It seems that 2010 can be a milestone for HIV actions. We all know that it is the deadline for G8 to provide access to HIV treatment, prevention, care and support. In Vietnam in particular, this day is also very important because 1990 is the year when the first case of HIV was discovered - so it has been 20 years since 1990.
The government commits setting certain targets for universal access. The AIDS response in Vietnam is categorized in four major areas: Governance; Policy and Legislative Framework; Prevention; and Treatment, Care and Support Additionally, in 2009, the government organized international congresses and meetings to design the national strategy to fight against HIV.
In 2010, the Ministry of Health has made the action plans to combat HIV. I would like to highlight some activities, which take place mostly in the end of the year: The program to raise fund for PLHIV (Nov 2010), Vietnam Creativeness's Day to search for the feasible ideas in response to HIV (Nov), National's Month to fight against HIV (Nov-Dec), especially the AIDS exibition http://www.exhiv2010.vn/home/index.php?lang=en
Nevertheless, there are some problems that need addressing here. First, the information in English is very outdated. The most recent English material that describes the HIV situation in Vietnam uses 2007 data. I have to read many Vietnamese documents to get the information and after that translate it to write this post (please pardon me if some phrases are awkward). Besides, the actions for the youth and run by the youth are still lacking. In fact, I have been involving in various environmental and youth initiatives that are very popular in Vietnam, but for HIV actions, most young people get a little bit afraid. There are a couples of reasons, perhaps the best explanation is that young people are influenced by the parents' opinion. Fighting against discrimination is extremely challenging in the country. However, there are also some young people who have a positive view on this issue, and what we need to do is to connect all of them to create the force that can somehow change the attitude!
I am getting to see that change in a not very far future!
Know your epidemic - Part A
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Well, the lesson 1 bombards me with a lot of things to read and do research. Now I would like to provide the current HIV situation in Vietnam.
Part A: Understand the epidemic in Vietnam
The epidemic in Vietnam is very urgent. I read from the 2007 UNAIDS report in Vietnam that every day about 100 people get infected by HIV!
OK so now, here are some 2009 stats. I search them from the Ministry of Health:
Vietnam's population: About 86 million
Number of PLHIV (2009): 156,802
AIDS patients: 34,391
People died of AIDS-related illness: 44,232
I have tried my best but I cannot find the number of new infections in the previous year. But I can find that in the third quarter of 2009, the number of new infections is 7,934 and the total number of PLHIV in 2009 (I mean from the beginning of the year to the third quarter) is 19,630
Social inequilities:
PLHIV aged 20-29: Over 50%
Male: 79%; Female: 21% - but due to increased heterosexual transmission, the number of infected females compared to males is increasing each year. In 2005, the percent of female PLHIV is only 15%
Although we do not know the number of children living with HIV (the website says), it is estimated that there is an increasing number of children infected and affected by HIV. A newspaper (from December 2009, source here, in Vietnamese) even quotes that about 1000 children get infected by HIV every year.
In Vietnam, sex work and drugs using is criminalised. In fact, the term "prostitute" or "sex workers" is often associated with "social evils" (it is not evil, kind of disorder or discrimination or sth like that). Stigma and discrimination against homosexuality and sexual minotiries, and HIV are also manifest. Actually, people may even discriminate people working in HIV organisations, even they are not HIV-positive (my personal experience).
Part A: Understand the epidemic in Vietnam
The epidemic in Vietnam is very urgent. I read from the 2007 UNAIDS report in Vietnam that every day about 100 people get infected by HIV!
OK so now, here are some 2009 stats. I search them from the Ministry of Health:
Vietnam's population: About 86 million
Number of PLHIV (2009): 156,802
AIDS patients: 34,391
People died of AIDS-related illness: 44,232
I have tried my best but I cannot find the number of new infections in the previous year. But I can find that in the third quarter of 2009, the number of new infections is 7,934 and the total number of PLHIV in 2009 (I mean from the beginning of the year to the third quarter) is 19,630
Social inequilities:
PLHIV aged 20-29: Over 50%
Male: 79%; Female: 21% - but due to increased heterosexual transmission, the number of infected females compared to males is increasing each year. In 2005, the percent of female PLHIV is only 15%
Although we do not know the number of children living with HIV (the website says), it is estimated that there is an increasing number of children infected and affected by HIV. A newspaper (from December 2009, source here, in Vietnamese) even quotes that about 1000 children get infected by HIV every year.
In Vietnam, sex work and drugs using is criminalised. In fact, the term "prostitute" or "sex workers" is often associated with "social evils" (it is not evil, kind of disorder or discrimination or sth like that). Stigma and discrimination against homosexuality and sexual minotiries, and HIV are also manifest. Actually, people may even discriminate people working in HIV organisations, even they are not HIV-positive (my personal experience).
About me
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Hi!I'm Tuan, from Vietnam. I'm extremely happy to be chosen for this e-course and to meet young activists all over the world!
Currently, I am working for a NGO (Light Foundation of Community Health and Services) which organizes regular events to tackle HIV epidemic in my community. Besides, I would like to mention a network called "Vietnam Youth Web." This network connects the brightest people studying in Vietnam and abroad and helps empower Vietnamese Youth to create a lasting change in my country. Also, I am very interested in environmental issues and children rights.
By participating in this course, I would like to gain more information about HIV, including the human rights and HIV treatment. I must confess that I may not be very much experienced in comparison with other young activists in this e-course, but I am always motivated for future action plans. With debates and discussions, I hope that I can gain valuable advice and experience from my mentor and my peers and create a positive change within the society.
I love rock and hiphop music. I am very impressed with people who can play the guitar (I did try to learn but not succeed)
By the way, today is March 8 - Women Day. Best wishes for all female participants in this e-course and my mentor Wesam
Feel free to give comments on my posts. I very much appreciate that!
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