HANOI, 17 October 2003

"Urgent Action Needed to Prevent an HIV/AIDS Crisis in Viet Nam" says UN Envoy

Urgent action needed now, Dr. Nafis Sadik says

In a visit to Hanoi, Dr. Nafis Sadik, the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser and Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific reflected on the growing HIV epidemics across much of Asia. She warned that, "We have to face this issue frankly. HIV/AIDS affects not only drug users and sex workers in Asia — it is a problem for the whole society. And in Viet Nam, too, HIV will only be defeated when the leadership mobilizes the whole society."

Dr. Sadik spoke in Hanoi during a four day visit to Viet Nam, from 15-18 October 2003. She will report to Mr. Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General, on the outcome of her visit.

The highlights of her visit are meetings with the H.E., Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Pham Gia Khiem, Madame Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu, Chairwoman of the Social Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, Madame Tran Thi Trung Chien, Minister of Health, and other officials. She will also be meeting with mass organizations, the UN, bilateral and international non-governmental organization officials.

Dr. Sadik noted the government commitment to HIV/AIDS, with a new Directive on HIV/AIDS issued by the Prime Minister in February 2003, and the current development of a National Strategy on HIV/AIDS for 2004-2010 with a vision to 2020. She also appreciated that the Government, along with other countries, had signed and are implementing the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS.

While commending these efforts, Dr. Sadik declared that much more needs to be done. "There are already over 71,000 people in Viet Nam who are known to be HIV+, and this figure is growing by 1,300 cases a month. Forty per cent of these cases are young people aged 15-24 years. This is a tragedy — young people infected in the prime of their lives."

Dr. Sadik also asked that the voice of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) be heard more clearly in Viet Nam. In meeting with a group of PLWHA in Hanoi, Dr. Sadik was told sad stories of stigma and discrimination. "Many of these people have lost their jobs, and some are shunned by their families and communities. How can we promote a caring and understanding attitude, and ensure that people’s rights are respected?", she said.

"We also need to mainstream HIV activities. The Ministry of Health has a crucial role to play in this work. But HIV is not only a health issue. What about the work and role of other Ministries, and other stakeholders? Ministries of Education need to ensure our children need learn about HIV, and how to prevent it, as part of their schooling. The Ministries of Finance and Planning need to understand the socio-economic impact of HIV, and to work to effectively integrate HIV into national development plans. Provincial leaders also need to take responsibility for leading HIV/AIDS activities in their provinces" she said. Dr. Sadik also expressed concern that most bilateral and multi-lateral donors to Viet Nam continue to link HIV with their health programmes, and have not integrated it into other sectors.

Finally, Dr. Sadik noted that sexuality and gender are at the heart of HIV issues. "Across Asia, Presidents and Prime Ministers have yet to speak out frankly about HIV/AIDS. Yes, it is a difficult topic — because it is associated with sexuality. And in Viet Nam, it is still linked with "social evils"; this linkage contributes to stigma and discrimination against PLWHA. HIV is also the outcome of gender inequality between women and men, which is a feature of all Asian societies. For example, female sex workers are often blamed for HIV infections. But what about the male clients, who are equally (if not more) responsible for HIV infections? If we do not recognize that sexuality and gender inequality are at the heart of this epidemic, how can we hope to stop the spread of HIV?" she asked.

Dr Nafis Sadik was previously Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and visited Viet Nam in this capacity. She was appointed the UN Secretary General’s special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia in May 2002, and in this capacity has visited many Asian countries to advocate for a dynamic response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. On her appointment in 1987 as Executive Director of UNFPA, she became the first woman to head one of the UN’s major voluntary-funded programmes. Her contribution to improving the health of women and children of the global community is continuing to bring her many international awards and honors. She continues her prestigious career by lending support and sharing her expertise on health issues all over the world, including on HIV/AIDS.

For more information, please contact UNAIDS Office in Viet Nam - 44B, Ly Thuong Kiet St. - Hanoi, Viet Nam - Tel: (84.4) 3.34.34.17 - Fax: (84.4) 3.34.34.18