United nations Strategic Priorities on HIV/AIDS in Viet Nam

United nations Strategic Priorities on HIV/AIDS in Viet Nam

June 20, 2013

HIV/AIDS is sweeping away years of progress and development in many countries all over the world. In Viet Nam the epidemic is still in an early stage, however available data on the infection shows that there is no time for complacency; it is urgent to act with effective interventions to curtail the spread of HIV.

This document aims to define a broad framework for UN support to the Government of Viet Nam as part of the national response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It articulates a coherent vision and selective priorities for the UN system, as distinct from those of each UN agency, the Government and other development partners. It is intended to ensure a better response of the UN system as a whole to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Viet Nam. The strategic priorities listed in this document are based on the analysis of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Viet Nam and of strengths and weaknesses of the national response to the epidemic. They also take into account the role and comparative advantages of the UN system.

Even if Viet Nam has responded positively to the HIV/AIDS threat, analysis of this response shows that more has to be done; interventions with a limited impact only, such as epidemiological surveys and some campaigns with mass media, have been implemented on a large scale. However, these have been notably insufficient to have any significant impact. In addition, Government and donor funds available are still low considering the importance of Viet Nam in terms of geography and population.

A rational strategy based on sound epidemiological data and on evidence-based interventions needs to be implemented, as does the fostering of an enabling environment with access to vulnerable groups and decreased stigmatization. This strategy will ensure that the International Development Target related to HIV/AIDS - halt and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015 - may be reached by the year 2015.

The United Nations agencies working on HIV/AIDS in Viet Nam will ensure that their involvement is properly coordinated. The UN support to Viet Nam’s efforts to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic should include common mechanisms for joint planning, precise monitoring and sound evaluation processes. It is also felt that this common strategy paper (initiated by members of the United Nations Theme Group on HIV/AIDS) will help the UN system integrate its efforts with national coordination mechanisms more effectively, and whenever possible, facilitate the coordination of other external support to national programmes.

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