Directive 07-CT/TW 2021 strengthen leadership in HIV/AIDS prevention and control, ending AIDS epidemic before 2030

DIRECTIVE

OF THE SECRETARIAT

On strengthening leadership in HIV/AIDS prevention and control, toward ending the AIDS epidemic in Vietnam before 2030

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After 15 years of implementing Directive No. 54-CT/TW of the Secretariat of the 9^th Party Central Committee, HIV/AIDS prevention and control in our country has achieved many important achievements. The awareness and responsibilities of party committees, authorities, mass organizations, cadres, party members and people in HIV/AIDS prevention and control have changed positively with many changes. Community stigma and discrimination against HIV/AIDS-infected persons have significantly decreased. Many persons with HIV/AIDS have actively participated in HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities. The legal system for HIV/AIDS prevention and control has been gradually built in a synchronous and comprehensive manner. Information, propaganda and education work on HIV/AIDS prevention and control have been implemented drastically with diverse and continuously innovated content and forms. The organization of the HIV/AIDS prevention and control apparatus from the central to the grassroots levels is consolidated and perfected. Inter-sectoral coordination to implement HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities is becoming increasingly tight and effective. The State, society and the international community have invested and supported strong resources for HIV/AIDS prevention and control. HIV/AIDS prevention and control services are widely and effectively deployed. The HIV/AIDS prevention and control in Vietnam has achieved the following goals: reducing the number of HIV-infected people; reducing the number of people progressing to AIDS and reducing the number of people dying from AIDS.

However, a number of party committees and authorities has not yet taken decisive actions in leading and directing HIV/AIDS prevention and control. The coordination of implementation lacks uniformity and regularity. Investment in HIV/AIDS prevention and control tends to decrease and socialization is limited. Cadres engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention and control, especially at the grassroots level, are lacking in numbers and weak in expertise. Information, propaganda, education, and advocacy work in some localities are not regular, continuous, and not highly effective. The coverage of some HIV/AIDS prevention and control services is limited. Social stigma and discrimination against HIV-infected people and their families still exist.

In the coming time, HIV/AIDS will still be a major challenge to public health. Although the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our country tends to decrease, it is unsustainable and poses a potential risk of outbreak. To move toward ending the AIDS epidemic in Vietnam before 2030 under the 13^th Party Congress' Resolutions, the Secretariat requests party committees, party organizations, authorities, the Fatherland Front and mass organizations at all levels to pay attention to implementing the following key tasks and solutions:

1. Continuing to thoroughly grasp and strengthen leadership and direction to effectively implement the Party's guidelines, policies and laws of the State on HIV/AIDS prevention and control; improving capacity, effectiveness and efficiency of state management; promoting inspection and supervision of the organization and implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention and control from central to local levels. Identifying HIV/AIDS prevention and control as a content in the socio-economic development programs and plans of localities and units; and using it as a criterion to evaluate the activities of party organizations, authorities, mass organizations, and party members in building cultural residential groups, villages, hamlets, and families. Reviewing and supplementing programs, regulations, and plans for inter-sectoral coordination in HIV/AIDS prevention and control synchronous and consistent with drug and prostitution prevention and control.

2. Continuing to innovate and improve the quality of information, communication, and education on HIV/AIDS prevention and control to effectively impact all subjects, communities, families, and people, especially teenagers and groups of people at high risk of HIV infection. Promoting propaganda activities against stigma and discrimination related to HIV/AIDS. Timely praising and replicating of outstanding groups and individuals who have made many contributions to HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Effectively integrating and coordinating HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities with socio-economic development programs and the movement “All people unite to build a cultural life”, building cultural families, residential groups, villages, hamlets, the campaign “Building new-style rural and civilized urban areas”, etc.

3. Reviewing, supplementing, and improving the laws on HIV/AIDS prevention and control to ensure compliance with reality and synchronize with the relevant legal system. Promulgating mechanisms and policies to create a favorable environment to increase the participation of organizations and individuals in providing HIV/AIDS prevention and control services. Increasing state budget investment for HIV/AIDS prevention and control; expanding payments from health insurance funds for HIV/AIDS prevention and control services; mobilizing and effectively using international aid sources; ensuring timely and adequate supply of drugs, biological products, equipment and supplies for HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Continuing to implement social support policies for HIV-infected children, HIV-infected people from poor households and other subjects as prescribed by law.

4. Focusing on widely, flexibly and effectively deploying professional solutions in HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Strengthening intervention solutions to reduce harm and prevent HIV infection, focusing on priority groups. Improving the quality of treatment for drug addicts; diversifying drug addiction treatment models and dispensing drugs at the grassroots level; implementing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis for high-risk groups. Proactively monitoring, supervising and promptly forecasting the HIV/AIDS epidemic situation; deploying scientific research, technology applications, and new initiatives in HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Prioritizing the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities in areas with high risk of HIV infection, compulsory education establishments, reformatories, drug detoxification establishments, social protection establishments, detention facilities, remote areas, and ethnic minority areas.

Diversifying HIV counseling and testing services at health facilities, communities and HIV self-testing. Promoting the connection of services, from prevention, counseling, testing to HIV/AIDS treatment and other necessary social support. Mobilizing the participation of private healthcare in HIV/AIDS treatment; decentralizing HIV/AIDS treatment to the grassroots-level health facility; expanding healthcare for HIV/AIDS patients at home and in the community.

5. Perfecting and improving the operation efficiency of the National Committee and local steering committees on HIV/AIDS prevention and control, drug and prostitution prevention and control. Strengthening training, improving professional capacity and taking appropriate compensation policies for teams working on HIV/AIDS prevention and control at all levels. Ensuring the quality of human resources for HIV/AIDS prevention and control from central to local levels.

6. Implementation organization

- Party committees, party organizations, Vietnamese Fatherland Front and mass organizations at all levels shall disseminate, thoroughly grasp and develop programs and plans to implement this Directive.

- The National Assembly Party Committee shall lead the research and improvement of the legal system on HIV/AIDS prevention and control in accordance with the new situation; direct and strengthen supervision of the implementation of policies and laws on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

- The Government’s Party Designated Representation shall direct the review, amendment, supplement, and completion of legal regulations on HIV/AIDS prevention and control; implement the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS passed on November 16, 2020 by the National Assembly and the National Strategy to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030; invest resources to ensure achievement of HIV/AIDS prevention and control goals; strengthen inspection and supervision at all levels.

- The Central Propaganda and Training Commission shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Health’s Party Designated Representation in providing instructions, inspecting and evaluating the implementation of this Directive, and periodically reporting to the Secretariat.

This Directive is disseminated to all party cells.