U.S., Vietnam Health Ministry Sign 2006-2008 Action Plan for PEPFAR-Funded Programs

U.S. and Vietnam's Ministry of Health officials on Wednesday signed an action plan for 2006 through 2008 for HIV/AIDS-related programs funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, VietNamNet Bridge reports (Le, VietNamNet Bridge, 1/19). According to a joint press release issued by the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, and the health ministry, Vietnam's PEPFAR-funded programs aim by 2008 to provide antiretroviral drugs to 22,000 HIV-positive people and to provide care for 110,000 people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in the country (Xinhuanet, 1/18). PEPFAR is a five-year, $15 billion program that directs funding for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria to 15 focus countries, including Vietnam (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 1/11). According to the health ministry, about 263,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in the country but only 103,000 HIV/AIDS cases have been reported. The government aims to reduce the country's HIV/AIDS prevalence rate to below 0.3% by 2010 (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 1/11). According to VietNamNet Bridge, PEPFAR in 2005 provided $27 million to Vietnam for HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs (VietNamNet Bridge, 1/19).