Vietnam is one of 15 focus countries under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). U.S. assistance includes both bilateral and multilateral support, facilitated through the Global Fund of the World Health Organization (WHO).
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| The handshake between the two health ministers of Vietnam and the U.S. following the signing ceremony. (Photo from HHS website) |
In the fiscal year 2006, Vietnam received over 34 million USD from PEPFAR. An additional 59 million USD is expected to be allocated to Vietnam in the fiscal year 2007.
Recently, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt and Vietnamese Minister of Health Trần Thị Trung Chiến signed an agreement to continue collaboration on health issues, including emerging infectious diseases, avian influenza, and HIV/AIDS.
The agreement includes the exchange of expertise and the development of rapid response plans for Vietnam. It also encourages and facilitates the establishment of direct relationships, as well as cooperation among governmental agencies, universities, research centers, institutes, private companies, and other legal entities.
Phan Anh
