Increasing HIV infection cases resulting from unsafe sex have become apressing issue in the southern region, urging the implementation ofdrastic measures by local authorities, the Ho Chi Minh City PasteurInstitute reported at a conference in the southern city on February11.
The percentage of new HIV infections fromunsafe sex escalated from 28.2 in 2007 to 61.3 percent in 2014 in 20southern provinces and cities. The rate reached 70.3 percent in thesouthwestern region.
The institute urged localhealth authorities to intensify monitoring measures and change theirapproach to prevention. It also proposed that rules be issued onregular heath checks for groups at high-risk of infection such asprostitutes and gay men.
Meanwhile, Phan Thi ThuHuong, Vice Director of the Health Ministry’s HIV/AIDS PreventionDepartment, said local medical units should enhance monitoring and earlytreatment activities.
She suggested organising additional awareness campaigns on safe sex in the region in light of the local situation.
Statistics from the Pasteur Institute showed that by the end of 2014,there were 98,500 HIV carriers and 38,800 AIDS patients living in thesouthern region. Total fatalities from HIV/AIDS in the region came to29,520.
According to the Ministry of Health,Vietnam currently has around 260,000 HIV carriers and some 12,000 newHIV infections are detected each year. Of the HIV positive people, onlynearly 90,000 are receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.-VNA
The percentage of new HIV infections fromunsafe sex escalated from 28.2 in 2007 to 61.3 percent in 2014 in 20southern provinces and cities. The rate reached 70.3 percent in thesouthwestern region.
The institute urged localhealth authorities to intensify monitoring measures and change theirapproach to prevention. It also proposed that rules be issued onregular heath checks for groups at high-risk of infection such asprostitutes and gay men.
Meanwhile, Phan Thi ThuHuong, Vice Director of the Health Ministry’s HIV/AIDS PreventionDepartment, said local medical units should enhance monitoring and earlytreatment activities.
She suggested organising additional awareness campaigns on safe sex in the region in light of the local situation.
Statistics from the Pasteur Institute showed that by the end of 2014,there were 98,500 HIV carriers and 38,800 AIDS patients living in thesouthern region. Total fatalities from HIV/AIDS in the region came to29,520.
According to the Ministry of Health,Vietnam currently has around 260,000 HIV carriers and some 12,000 newHIV infections are detected each year. Of the HIV positive people, onlynearly 90,000 are receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.-VNA
