VietNamNet Bridge – The Prime Minister has approved a national target program on HIV/AIDS prevention and control in the 2012-2015 period, with a total funding of VND3,700 billion.

The program aims to keep HIV infection rates among the community at less than 0.3 percent and minimize the deadly disease’s impact on socio-economic development. Its focus is on information dissemination, HIV/AIDS inspection and treatment, and capacity building for HIV/AIDS prevention and control centres.

Under the program, which is being implemented in 63 provinces and cities nationwide, 60 percent of citizens aged between 15 and 49 will be fully aware of HIV/AIDS disease by 2015. HIV infection rates among high-risk groups, including drug users, homosexual people, and prostitutes, will be reduced to below 15 percent, 10 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

In the next three years, 70 percent of HIV patients will receive ARV treatment, and the mother-to-child infection rate will be kept under 5 percent.

VietNamNet/VOV