Former US Government Secretary, Tommy G. Thompson marking a visit to Vietnam by a key US task force for HIV/AIDS hailed leadership as critical in the fight against the disease. Saluting Vietnam's efforts as valiant, he said, "It is time that we have a victory over this insidious disease”. He also vocalized the hope that the country could serve as an example for other countries battling HIV.
Calling upon NGOs, citizenry and international communities to support and augment the Vietnam Government efforts, Mr. Thompson said, “We could actually win the battle here”. 15 years earlier, Vietnam identified its first case and has since made an all out effort to control its spread.
The country one of fifteen such nations in 'focus' for highest risk of a HIV/AIDS epidemic has the support of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The five-year global initiative is estimated to lend support to the tune of US$15 billion solely to combating HIV/AIDS.
Besides trying to achieve a series of objectives to halt the progress of the disease's spread, the PEPFAR initiative seeks to fight the disease by augmenting the role of national leaders. In 2004, Vietnam benefited as a result by US$25 million in terms of assistance.
With over 100,000 reportedly living with deadly virus and many more unreported cases, an outbreak of the disease appears to be looming in the current century. HIV/AIDS prevalence has reached such a level with the exposure of populations to STDs and drugs.
Dao Duy Quat, deputy head of the Party Central Commission for Ideological and Cultural Affairs expressing Vitenam's gratefulness for US Government support reassured Thompson's team about the involvement of Vietnamese leaders in the efforts. Thompson said, "We are combating the pandemic to save not only people living with HIV/AIDS but also to save the whole nation".
Unlike most other focus nations, Vietnam was quick to realize the seriousness of the disease as early as 1995, by issuing a directive on its prevention. This quickly was followed with the promulgation of a law on HIV/AIDS prevention and protection.
Besides establishing a legal framework for this, the country has also established strategies for HIV/AIDS prevention and protection. But as Quat himself acknowledges, a key part of prevention is communication and keeping the populations aware about the way the disease spreads.
