Dispensing preventive medication at Long Xuyen Medical Center. Photo: Hanh Chau
Since the first case of HIV/AIDS was detected in Vietnam in 1990, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has spread to all provinces and cities nationwide. By the end of 2024, the country recorded 245,762 people living with HIV and 116,004 cumulative deaths from HIV. According to the Ministry of Health , the number of people infected with HIV continues to increase, especially seriously as the epidemic is strongly affecting young people – the main workforce of society. HIV/AIDS not only threatens the health and lives of millions of people but also impacts the future of the nation and the sustainable development of the country. Dr. Tran The Vinh, Director of the Provincial Center for Disease Control, stated: “From the first HIV infections in An Giang in 1993, the cumulative number of people infected with HIV detected as of September 30, 2025, is 21,870, of which 8,147 have died, and 13,749 people living with HIV are under management. The number of people living with HIV under management per 100,000 people in the entire province is 278.”
In the first nine months of 2025, 643 new HIV infections were detected, and 68 people died. Transmission primarily occurs through sexual contact and is concentrated in the 15-29 age group. "The number of injecting drug users and female sex workers has decreased, but the number of men who have sex with men (MSM) has increased in recent years," Dr. Tran The Vinh reported.
To strengthen HIV/AIDS prevention and control, from the provincial to the grassroots level, effective harm reduction interventions have been implemented, such as providing syringes, condoms, and lubricants to high-risk groups including injecting drug users, sex workers, and those who have sex with men. This has been combined with enhanced communication efforts across all communes, wards, special zones, and at An Giang University, drug rehabilitation centers, and provincial prisons, contributing to raising public awareness. Communication is combined with counseling and testing for high-risk individuals. Efforts are also being made to combat discrimination and stigma against people living with HIV.
At healthcare facilities from the provincial level down to communes, wards, and special zones, counseling and testing are provided to groups including injecting drug users, sex workers, same-sex couples, married couples, partners, and drug-using partners. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission is provided to all pregnant women who receive free counseling and testing, and timely treatment, resulting in very few new infections in recent years. PrEP (Preventive Treatment with Emergency Prevention) is administered to 1,982 high-risk individuals, contributing to reduced transmission within this group. Methadone replacement therapy is provided to 419 injecting drug users at four facilities.
According to Dr. Tran The Vinh, in the first nine months of 2025, 9,877 patients received ARV treatment. Currently, treatment also serves as prevention; when ARV treatment reduces the viral load to below 200 copies/ml, HIV transmission during sexual intercourse is eliminated. The percentage of patients with health insurance reached over 98.4%. HIV/AIDS prevention and control efforts are being implemented comprehensively throughout the province, contributing to reducing the HIV transmission rate, improving the health of infected individuals, and ultimately ending the HIV epidemic by 2030.
With the theme "Unity is Strength - Working Together to End the AIDS Epidemic," the Provincial Center for Disease Control, in coordination with mass media agencies and relevant units, is developing special pages, sections, reports, and panel discussions to implement the 2025 National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control. They are also strengthening communication on social media platforms such as Facebook, Zalo, and TikTok. Furthermore, they are organizing direct communication activities and harm reduction interventions in the community, with particular emphasis on youth and men who have sex with men. Simultaneously, they are ensuring the provision and increased access to HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment services (ARV, PrEP, health insurance) for the population.
According to Dr. Chung Tan Thinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, the Department is implementing a plan to respond to the National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in 2025 to strengthen the attention of the whole society to HIV/AIDS prevention and control, aiming to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, while reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, people affected by HIV/AIDS, and people with high-risk behaviors for HIV infection…
HANH CHAU
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/chung-tay-day-lui-hiv-aids-a468524.html
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