On the evening of December 10th, at the closing ceremony and awards presentation for the National Journalism Awards on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, organized by the Health and Life Newspaper and the Department of Disease Prevention ( Ministry of Health ), Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, Deputy Minister of Health, announced that the Ministry of Health has chosen the theme for this year's National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control: "Unity is strength - Working together to end the AIDS epidemic".
According to the Deputy Minister of Health , after 35 years of responding to HIV/AIDS, Vietnam has achieved remarkable results. The HIV testing, prevention, and treatment programs have been implemented comprehensively and effectively.
By 2024, Vietnam's achievement of the 95-95-95 target was 87.3 - 78.9 - 96 (meaning 87.3% of people infected knew their HIV status; 78.9% of people who knew their HIV status received ARV treatment; and 96% of people receiving ARV treatment had a viral load below the suppression threshold).
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, Deputy Minister of Health, presents the first prize to the authors and their works (Photo: Tran Minh).
Throughout the 35-year journey of responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, alongside the medical staff and healthcare sector directly caring for and treating HIV/AIDS patients, there has also been the close collaboration of journalists and reporters on the ideological front, changing societal perceptions of HIV/AIDS.
For the past 35 years, dedicated journalists have silently, persistently, and tirelessly pushed back against prejudice surrounding this devastating disease, fostering love and erasing fear of HIV/AIDS within the community.
The journalism award not only honors the silent efforts of media professionals working on HIV/AIDS, but also serves as a social advocacy activity, conveying messages and contributing to mobilizing the strength of the entire population, bringing Vietnam closer to the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
Associate Professor Phan Thi Thu Huong, Chair of the Council of Hanoi Medical University and Chair of the Judging Panel, stated that the Organizing Committee awarded a total of 12 prizes across three categories: Written works; Photographic works; and Television works. Each category included one First Prize, one Second Prize, one Third Prize, and one Consolation Prize.
In addition, the Health and Life Newspaper also awarded the "Red Ribbon" prize – a symbol of HIV/AIDS prevention and control – to other outstanding authors and works selected by the Jury.
Associate Professor Phan Thi Thu Huong emphasized that in the coming time, the media still needs to continue to strongly disseminate important messages such as: "Get tested for HIV early to protect yourself and your family", "Early ARV treatment helps you stay healthy and reduces HIV transmission", "PrEP - an effective and safe HIV prevention method", and "No stigma or discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS".
These are the core messages that help reduce stigma, encourage access to services, and contribute to the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
"HIV is not a scary disease. People infected with HIV can live, work, and do things like other normal people. They can share meals, talk, etc., without transmitting the HIV virus," Associate Professor Huong informed.
Therefore, in addition to professional HIV/AIDS prevention and control efforts, the goal of reducing self-stigma and stigma in families, schools, workplaces, and society is crucial. This is because these are major barriers that cause many people to hesitate to get tested, hide their HIV status, or be afraid to use PrEP and ARV.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/viet-nam-huong-toi-muc-tieu-cham-dut-dich-aids-vao-nam-2030-20251211074025698.htm
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