Hanoi (VNA) –Vietnam will expand the national programme for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)for HIV prevention to 15 more cities and provinces following the positiveoutcomes of the pilot implementation in 11 localities over the past one year.

The information was released at aworkshop held in Ho Chi Minh City on November 27 by the Ministry of Health’s VietnamAdministration for HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC), the USAID/PATH Healthy Market andUNAIDS.

VAAC deputy head Phan Thi ThuHuong said more than 6,000 people have enrolled in the PrEP programme so far,including 3,946 joining in 2019.

She added that the Global Fundhas committed non-refundable aid to support Vietnam's response to HIV/AIDS amongthe MSM community in 2019-2020, which will enable greater access to and uptakeof PrEP for those that are at highest risk of HIV.

According to USAID Vietnam HealthOffice Director Ritu Singh, even though PrEP use is increasing in Vietnam,many more people need to have access to it for there to be population-levelimpact in reducing HIV incidence.

She saidUSAIDS will assist the VAAC and implementing partners in further boostingdemand creation and in ensuring that PrEP clients get the support they need tostay on PrEP.

PrEP was first piloted in Hanoiand Ho Chi Minh City in 2016. The Ministry of Health made it part of thedirection for HIV/AIDS care and treatment in 2017 and passed a plan to roll outthe service for the 2018-2020 in 2018 with the provision of free antiretroviraldrugs for HIV treatment.
Vietnam is thesecond country in Asia to launch PrEP service nationwide,after Thailand./.