With the support of the Clinton Foundation, Vietnam will have access to affordable HIV antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and diagnostic supplies to aid treatment. The cost for ARV medication may be reduced to just over 2.2 million VND per person per year.
On the afternoon of December 12, the Ministry of Health of Vietnam and the Clinton Foundation (USA) signed a memorandum of understanding. The Foundation will assist Vietnam in negotiating the procurement of ARVs and CD4 test kits (which help diagnose and support HIV/AIDS treatment) at low prices and high quality from the Foundation’s suppliers.
According to Mr. Trinh Quan Huan, Deputy Minister of Health, if negotiations are successful, the cost for AIDS treatment for a patient could drop to 140 USD (over 2.2 million VND) per year. Currently, even with domestic drugs, each patient still has to spend a minimum of 1,400 USD per year; for foreign medications, the cost is around 8,000 USD.
The World Health Organization estimates that each year, 12,000-14,000 people in Vietnam require treatment with ARVs. In recent years, thanks to enhanced domestic resources and fundraising efforts, the number of people living with HIV receiving treatment has increased significantly, yet it still falls short of actual demand. The Ministry of Health hopes that with the above support, the majority of people living with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam will receive treatment.
H.H
