The Ministry of Health on Wednesday launched a month-long campaign on preventing mother-to-child HIV infection under which pregnant mothers are encouraged to practice regular medical check-ups for HIV.

 

The medical check-ups will help pregnant mothers to know more about their health conditions and equip them with effective skills to prevent HIV infection to their children.

Deputy PM Truong Vinh Trong at the launching ceremony of the month-long campaign on preventing mother-to-child HIV infection

 

The campaign, kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City, will be carried out nationwide. At least 225 service providing sites will be set up to offer mothers with HIV consultancy and testing, preventive medicines, alternative milk for children of HIV-infected mothers.

 

The number of HIV patients has gradually reduced in Việt Nam in recent years but the percentage of HIV-infected pregnant women is still rising.

 

It is estimated that around 6,000 pregnant women are infected with HIV each year, 35% of their children is vulnerable to the disease. However, the percentage would be brought down to just 5% if mothers apply preventive measures, and over 1,600 babies are saved from fatal shears.

 

Deputy PM Truong Vinh Trong ordered the healthcare sector to extend HIV preventive services to every individual who need it.

 

He also called on international organizations and countries around the world to do their best in fulfilling one of the UN-initiated millennium development goals – “Halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV by 2015” - and making sure that HIV protective services are available to 100% HIV-infected pregnant mothers.

(CPV)