In December 1990, a woman, 30, in HCM City was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS infection from her future husband. This was the first diagnosed HIV/AIDS patient in Vietnam.
However, according to a representative from HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department under the Ministry of Health, until now, the woman’s health condition has remained good as she maintained the use of ARV treatment.
Vietnam has 209,000 people living with HIV/AIDS
Tests showed that the HIV virus load was at a low level. She has always tried to be optimistic, which was described as an important reason for her good condition.
John Blandford, director of the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Vietnam, said research showed that when the viral load of an HIV/AIDS patient is below 200 copies/ml, there is almost no risk for HIV infection for her/his partners who are HIV negative.
However, to have such the viral loads, people living with HIV/AIDS have to absolutely follow the daily ARV treatment as given by doctors.
The HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department reported that currently, Vietnam has 209,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, however, just 123,000 among being provided with ARV treatment. Many refused the treatment for the fear of being discriminated against. Up to 91% of the cases with the ARV treatment have been able to control the virus.
The proper ARV treatment can help to reduce 95% of HIV infection risks to others, including mother-to-child transmission.
ARV is being provided for free through medical centres nationwide thanks to the support of health insurance fund.
