VietNamNet Bridge – In the first nine months of this year, an average of 34 people contracted HIV each day, according to recent statistics from the Ministry of Health.

In an update on the virus' spread in Viet Nam, the Ministry said that as of October this year, there were over 200,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, of which more than 65,000 had developed AIDS. Around 66,000 people died from HIV/AIDS in the same period.

Bui Hoang Duc, from the ministry's Department for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, said that although the pandemic had declined in recent years, the numbers were still relatively high.

The ratio of women with HIV has increased during the past years, with the number of sexually transmitted HIV infections outnumbering those via blood-to-blood contact.

According to the ministry, the proportion of people over 30 and living with HIV was also on the rise.

However, Duc said the ministry was especially concerned about a large number of people with HIV being unaware of their condition; posing a huge threat to the community and threatening a rise in infection rates.

An increasing number of cases had been discovered in drug addicts' partners, he added.

Discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients is still rife throughout Viet Nam, even providing obstacles for patients seeking treatment.

The 2013 National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, launched on November 10, will focus on reducing the risk of infection by organising conferences and seminars to raise awareness. The occasion will also urge HIV/AIDS patients to access health care services and promote co-operation with border patrol soldiers to increase awareness on HIV/AIDS in remote areas.

Source: VNS