Vietnam’s HIV epidemic affects different populations in different parts of the country. However, it remains concentrated among four high risk populations: men who have sex with men (MSM); transgender women (TGW), persons who inject drugs; and female sex workers. MSM and TGW can often be hard to reach due to the stigma surrounding HIV and their reluctance to visit public clinics. The project thus identifies high risk, hard-to-reach MSM, TGW and people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Dong Nai province and connects them to testing and treatment services.

Community Based Organizations (CBOs) have the potential to provide relevant, effective and efficient services to people at risk of contracting and transmitting HIV. However, in order to sustainably provide HIV related health services, these CBOs need support to run their organizations more successfully. This project helps CBOs strengthen their technical and advocacy abilities, enabling them to effectively reach most at-risk populations.

RESULTS TO DATE

In HCMC, between May 2016 and September 2019, the project has provided HIV prevention, care and support services to approximately 50,000 high risk individuals and PLHIV. It has identified over 4,000 new HIV-positive cases and successfully linked almost all cases, and an additional 1,800 lost-to-follow-up cases, to HIV/AIDS care and treatment in HCMC.

In October 2018, the project expanded to Dong Nai province with the support of high-performing CBOs from HCMC, six newly-established CBOs in Dong Nai, Community Master Trainers and E-Learning Hub/Library created by the project. Between October 2018 and September 2019, more than11,000 high risk individuals were provided with HIV prevention, care and support services including HIV lay-tests and referred to HIV treatment or Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services. The project contributed to 63% of total new HIV-positive cases in this province.

urthermore, the project has also helped seven capable and committed CBOs to obtain legal registrations and trained 23 CBOs in communication, branding and public speaking to help them effectively advocate for government recognition and social contracting.