What are 3 measures of harm reduction interventions in HIV infection prevention under Decree 141 in Vietnam?
What are 3 measures of harm reduction interventions in HIV infection prevention under Decree 141 in Vietnam?
On October 28, 2024, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree 141/2024/ND-CP detailing certain provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS).
The harm reduction interventions in HIV infection prevention is as follows:
[1] Providing and Guiding the Use of Condoms as stipulated in Article 3 of Decree 141/2024/ND-CP
- Provide and guide the use of condoms for the following individuals:
+ People living with HIV
+ Drug users
+ Sex workers
+ People engaged in same-sex relations
+ Transgender individuals
+ Spouses and other family members living with an HIV-infected person; spouses of those aforementioned
+ Persons having sexual relations with an HIV-infected person
+ Individuals with sexually transmitted diseases
+ Migrants
+ Pregnant women
+ Inmates, detainees, compulsory education camp residents, students in reform schools, drug rehabilitation center trainees
+ Ethnic minorities; people living in mountainous, remote, island, border, and socio-economically disadvantaged areas
+ Individuals aged 13 to under 30 years
- The provision and guidance on condom use are carried out in one of the following forms:
+ Free provision of condoms through programs and projects approved by competent state agencies according to legal regulations. Free condoms must have the line "Free provision, not for sale" clearly printed on packaging or supplementary labels.
+ Commercial sale of condoms as regulated by laws on medical equipment management.
[2] Providing and Guiding the Use of Clean Syringes as stipulated in Article 4 of Decree 141/2024/ND-CP
The provision and guidance on the use of clean syringes for drug addicts are conducted in one of the following forms:
- Free provision of clean syringes through programs and projects approved by competent state agencies according to legal regulations. Free clean syringes must have the line "Free provision, not for sale" clearly printed on packaging or supplementary labels.
- Commercial sale of clean syringes as regulated by laws on medical equipment management.
[3] Psychological Therapy for Drug Users as stipulated in Article 5 of Decree 141/2024/ND-CP
Conditions for implementation:
+ Personnel conducting psychological therapy for drug users must have certification of completion of training in psychological therapy for drug users issued by a qualified training institution.
+ There must be a private location ensuring confidentiality.
+ There must be tables, chairs, and specialized documents to conduct psychological therapy.
Note: Decree 141/2024/ND-CP comes into effect from December 15, 2024.
What are 3 measures of harm reduction interventions in HIV infection prevention under Decree 141 in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)
What are the rights and obligations of people living with HIV in Vietnam?
Based on Article 4 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS) 2006 (amended by Clause 2, Article 1 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS) Amendment 2020) stipulating the rights and obligations of people living with HIV:
Article 4. Rights and Obligations of People Living with HIV
- People living with HIV have the following rights:
a) Integrate into the community and society;
b) Receive treatment and healthcare;
c) Pursue cultural education, vocational training, and employment;
d) Maintain privacy related to HIV/AIDS;
dd) Refuse medical examination and treatment when undergoing AIDS treatment in the terminal stage;
[...]
Hence, people living with HIV have the following rights and obligations:
[1] Rights of people living with HIV:
- Integrate into the community and society
- Receive treatment and healthcare
- Pursue cultural education, vocational training, and employment
- Maintain privacy related to HIV/AIDS- Refuse medical examination and treatment when undergoing AIDS treatment in the terminal stage
- Other rights as prescribed by this Law and other relevant legislation
[2] Obligations of people living with HIV:
- Implement measures to prevent HIV transmission to others
- Promptly inform their spouse, intended spouse, or cohabiting partner of their positive HIV test result
- Comply with treatment regulations when undergoing antiretroviral therapy
- Other obligations as prescribed
Which agency is accountable to Government of Vietnam for implementing state management on HIV/AIDS prevention and control?
According to Article 7 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS) 2006, the state management agency for HIV/AIDS prevention and control is regulated as follows:
Article 7. State Management Agency for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control
- The Government of Vietnam conducts unified state management of HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
2. The Ministry of Health is responsible to the Government of Vietnam for carrying out the state management of HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
- Ministries and ministerial-level agencies, within the scope of their duties and powers, are responsible for cooperating with the Ministry of Health to fulfill state management of HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
- People's Committees at all levels manage the state management of HIV/AIDS prevention and control within their localities.
According to this regulation, the Ministry of Health is responsible to the Government of Vietnam for conducting state management of HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
