Vietnam, regional model in the fight against the global epidemic

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Over the past four decades, the fight against HIV/AIDS has made spectacular progress. Advances in medicine, including the introduction of PrEP, have revolutionized prevention, providing a lifeline to millions of people around the world.

Thanks to its effective prevention measures, including the widespread use of PrEP, Vietnam has accomplished a remarkable feat: preventing nearly 1.2 million new HIV/AIDS infections and averting approximately 320,000 deaths linked to this epidemic. In 2023, the country has established itself as a leader in Asia-Pacific in the implementation of this preventive treatment.

Studies have shown that PrEP provides almost complete protection against HIV, reaching an effectiveness rate of 99% when used correctly. Furthermore, new injectable treatments now make it possible to extend this protection for up to six months, thus strengthening the arsenal of prevention against this virus.

PrEP Pioneer

Vietnam stands out in the region thanks to its PrEP program, praised by the D^r. Ramona Bhatia, Global Division of HIV and Tuberculosis at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as one of the most robust. Thousands of Vietnamese are already benefiting from this preventive treatment, a success made possible by the constant commitment of the HIV/AIDS Control Administration (Ministry of Health).

This program has recorded remarkable results thanks to exceptional support from the targeted communities. The speed of adoption of innovations, combined with close collaboration with the most vulnerable populations, has enabled decisive steps to be taken. In addition, effective communication campaigns have been deployed to raise awareness of the importance of PrEP among both healthcare professionals and the general public.

As part of its strategy to eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030, the HIV/AIDS Control Administration has made the PrEP program a top priority. This program plays a key role in expanding access to prevention and significantly reducing new infections.

This body is also innovating by diversifying the forms of PrEP in order to meet the varied needs of populations.

This includes the introduction of cutting-edge treatments, such as cabotegravir (CAB-LA) and lenacapavir (LEN), which represent the future of HIV prevention in Vietnam and offer promising options to fill current gaps in HIV prevention. matter of access.

A formidable weapon

According to Dr. Ramona Bhatia, biomedical prevention of HIV, based on the use of antiviral drugs, has proven to be the most effective approach to stopping the spread of the virus. This strategy, which includes methods such as PrEP and treatment as prevention, provides optimal protection for those at risk.

A major advance in the prevention of this epidemic is the concept of Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U). When HIV-positive people take effective antiretroviral treatment and keep their viral load undetectable, the risk of transmitting the virus sexually becomes almost zero. This biomedical approach, based on the use of antiretroviral drugs, is today recognized as one of the most effective strategies to end this epidemic.

PrEP is an innovative prevention strategy allowing people at high risk of infection to proactively protect themselves. By taking antiretroviral treatment daily, they create an effective barrier against the virus, thus significantly reducing the risk of infection.

“This method, whose effectiveness can reach 99% when correctly used, continues to evolve. New formulations, such as long-acting injections (CAB-LA and LEN), provide even more effective and convenient protection, significantly reducing the burden on patients,” informs Doctor Ramona Bhatia.

Currently, Vietnam is positioning itself at the forefront of the fight against HIV/AIDS by massively deploying the I=I and PrEP programs. Its expertise in these areas makes it a model for many countries, particularly in Southeast Asia. The HIV/AIDS Control Administration continues to innovate to ensure optimal prevention.

Diversify the offers

New biomedical approaches offer considerable hope in the fight against this deadly disease, but their large-scale deployment faces major obstacles, notably the high costs of treatments and constraints linked to health infrastructure, particularly in developing countries.

Faced with this situation, the HIV/AIDS Control Administration is doing everything possible to adapt prevention strategies. In particular, it promotes the diversity of PrEP models in order to best meet the specific needs of each individual.

By adopting a personalized approach, the provision of comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment services helps meet the needs of each individual, particularly in key populations, such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and men. transgender people.

Open to innovations, this Administration is committed to rapidly deploying new PrEP treatments, particularly injectable ones, in order to meet the evolving needs of populations and bring us closer to the “zero AIDS” goal by 2030.

The revolution in the fight against HIV/AIDS is much more than a scientific advance; it demonstrates our collective ability to address global challenges and deliver a better future for millions of people. The progress made, notably the emergence of long-acting injectable PrEP treatments, brings us closer every day to a world where this epidemic will be a thing of the past.

Huong Linh/CVN