Vietnam News Agency wins first prize for journalism on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

On the evening of December 10th, the closing ceremony and awards presentation for the "National Journalism Award on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control," jointly organized by the Health and Life Newspaper and the Department of Disease Prevention ( Ministry of Health ), took place in Hanoi.

The Vietnam News Agency won three awards, including one First Prize (writing category), one Third Prize (television category), and one Encouragement Prize (photo category).

Accordingly, the first prize in the writing category was awarded to journalist Dinh Thi Hang for her work: "The doctor and her extraordinary initiative that saved HIV-infected children from the clutches of death."

Third Prize (television category) was awarded to the team of authors Nguyen Thi Doan Duyen, Nguyen Thi Kieu Trang, Dinh Nghia Thuong, Ta Tien Thanh, Chu Ngoc Thu An - Center for Digital Content and Communication for their work: "35 Years of Fighting HIV/AIDS - New Solutions, New Journey, New Hope."

The Encouragement Prize in the photography category was awarded to journalist Cao Thi Thuy Giang of VietnamPlus online newspaper for her work: "Working together to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic."

The authors and individuals who won third prize. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

The work "The Doctor and the Extraordinary Initiative That Saved HIV-infected Children from the Brink of Death," by journalist Dinh Thi Hang, portrays Dr. Truong Huu Khanh - Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Infectious Diseases Association, Professional Advisor at Children's Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City - as one of the first doctors in Vietnam to receive and treat HIV-infected children. In the early days, he was haunted by witnessing hundreds of HIV-infected children die one after another because there was no cure.

To give children a chance to live, Dr. Truong Huu Khanh initiated the idea of breaking down adult ARV pills to treat children. He also created a dosage chart and instructions on how to break the pills according to each child's weight, which was widely applied in HIV treatment facilities.

Thanks to Dr. Khanh's initiatives, thousands of HIV-infected children in Vietnam have been saved, much to the astonishment and admiration of the global medical community. For decades, Dr. Truong Huu Khanh has also been a source of moral support, a companion, and a source of hope for pregnant women and children infected with HIV in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Authors and individuals who received the Encouragement Award. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Launched more than three months ago, the National Journalism Award on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control has spread widely, attracting the participation of numerous journalists nationwide. The Organizing Committee received more than 1,200 entries.

At the ceremony, the Organizing Committee also honored the best authors and groups of authors. The works were divided into 3 categories with a total of 12 awards, including: Written works; Photographic works; and Television works. Each category included: 1 First Prize, 1 Second Prize, 1 Third Prize, and 1 Consolation Prize. In addition, the Health and Life Newspaper also awarded the "Red Ribbon" award - a symbol of HIV/AIDS prevention and control - to other outstanding authors and works selected by the Jury.

This year's competition not only brought together professional journalists from major media outlets with meticulously produced works utilizing modern journalistic technology (MegaStory, E-magazine, Longform, etc.); but also featured enthusiastic participation from "non-professional reporters." These included staff from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in mountainous regions, village health workers, and collaborators at local radio stations.

The authors and individuals who won second prize. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

According to the Organizing Committee, this year's journalism award recognizes a significant shift in media thinking. Instead of the fear-mongering messages of 10-20 years ago, journalism has brought a breath of fresh air: more scientific, more positive, and more humane. Concepts such as K=K, PrEP, ARV treatment, health insurance, etc., have been conveyed vividly and understandably by the participants, making a significant contribution to changing the awareness of society as a whole.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong emphasized that 2025 marks a particularly important milestone in Vietnam's 35-year journey of responding to HIV/AIDS – a journey filled with persistent efforts, concerns, sacrifices, and proud achievements. From the early days of facing the pandemic with great confusion and shortages, to today, Vietnam has built a solid, humane, and effective HIV/AIDS prevention and control program, recognized by the international community.

Authors and individuals awarded the Red Ribbon Prize. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

HIV/AIDS is not just an infectious disease, but also a public health issue for each country and globally, with a significant impact on the socio-economic development of the nation. Vietnam has been gradually controlling the epidemic.

After 35 years of responding to HIV/AIDS, Vietnam has achieved remarkable results. HIV testing, prevention, and treatment programs have been implemented comprehensively and effectively. By 2024, Vietnam's 95-95-95 targets were achieved at 87.3%, 78.9%, and 96% (meaning 87.3% of infected individuals knew their HIV status; 78.9% of those aware received ARV treatment; and 96% of those receiving ARV treatment had viral loads below the suppression threshold (1000 copies/ml of blood)). These results are higher than the average for the Asia-Pacific region and close to global standards, demonstrating the efforts and effectiveness of Vietnam's HIV/AIDS prevention and control program.

List of winning entries: