Integrated care for drug users with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam

Government leaders and public health experts have gathered in a bi-annual conference held in Hanoi to build “Towards a comprehensive care for substance users: Integration of substance use disorders, HIV, and other services”.

As the only one of its kind in Vietnam to integrate substance use and HIV/AIDS, the goals of the conference are to promote and build a comprehensive and integrated care system that treats substance use disorders and HIV/AIDS, and more effectively reduces the burden of these diseases on individuals, families, and the community.

Supported by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Vietnam HIV Addiction Technology Transfer Center, the conference lured around 350 participants from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor, War- Invalids and Social Affairs, and Ministry of Public Security, including 30 provinces and experts from local non-government and community-based organizations and international organizations and universities.

"Health is just one outcome of the methadone program. Community safety and security are also direct outcomes, along with economic benefits for the family. With great support from our leaders and the community, we need to expand and integrate our programs and focus more on addiction, especially as new challenges arise,” said Vice Minister of Health Mr Nguyen Thanh Long.

Individuals that get into the program, such as in Hai Phong, reported a 70% reduction in criminal activity with 48% of the patients being employed and productive members of the family and community.

Participants discussed state-of-the-art evidence-based approaches and community-based treatment models to integrate substance use disorders and HIV/AIDS into Vietnam’s existing healthcare system, including methadone treatment, alcohol, heroin, and methamphetamine treatments, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and community-based treatment for vulnerable populations such as men who have sex with men, women, and children.

(Source: CPV)