Perspectives of the Global Fund Replenishment Conference

On June 19th, 2019 at the Embassy of the French Republic in Vietnam, the meeting on the topic “Perspectives of the Global Fund Replenishment Conference”” took place successfully under the leadership of Mr. Bertrand Lortholary, Ambassador of the French Republic in Vietnam; with the participation of Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, Minister of Health of Vietnam and other Ambassadors, Representatives of international organizations in Viet Nam, Delegates and Distinguished guests, Leadership representatives and Specialists of the Ministry of Health in Vietnam.

At the meeting “Perspectives of the Global Fund Replenishment Conference” on June 19th, 2019, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, Minister of Health of Vietnam said:

The Communist Party and Government of Viet Nam always focuses on healthcare, considered that health is the most precious thing of the mankind, and extremely important factor in developing the society and building the economy. So far, the Government has issued many policies, resolutions and documents on healthcare, given priority to investments in resources and techniques for healthcare, whereby the health sector of Viet Nam has achieved many good results.

The public health insurance reaches nearly 88% of the population, of which the State provides 100% of health insurance cards for the poor, children under 6 years old, ethnic minorities and some other difficult beneficiaries. Viet Nam strives to cover the health insurance for 100% of the population by 2020. The basic health networkhas covered the whole country. The health system at the commune, district and provincial levels is being reformed comprehensively and synchronously for integration and development. Many commune health stations have also been invested to upgrade and build new ones from the local budgets and aid sources

Viet Nam is highly appreciated by the international community for its successes in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Viet Nam is ranked by the United Nations as one of the top 10 countries in the world to achieve the Millennium Development Goals MDG4 and MDG5 in reducing maternal and child mortality rate, reducing the children malnutrition rate.

Viet Nam is one of the first countries to commit to carry out the United Nations’ goal 90-90-90. Viet Nam has effectively implemented harm reduction and preventions such as syringes and condoms distribution, substitution treatment by Methadone, Buprenorphine, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, and community – based testing. 95% of HIV-infected people who have been treated with antiviral drugs reduce the risk of HIV transmission to others. New HIV+ and HIV related deaths has decreased two-thirds in the past 10 years. Viet Nam has been actively coordinating domestic funding including central and local budget, especially Public Health Insurance has been using for HIV/AIDS treatments since 2019. Viet Nam has strongly aimed to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

For tuberculosis prevention, in 2019, the multi-drug resistant tuberculosis management coverage rate is more than 70%, the tuberculosis epidemic is decreased by 31% over the past 10 years. Viet Nam has also reached many great achievements, is one of 9 countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) for three indicators of tuberculosis epidemic reduction (new, current tuberculosis disease reduction and death from tuberculosis), is one of the top 3 countries in implementing the WHO tuberculosis termination study (Viet Nam, Brazil and South Africa) and is a pioneer in implementing the Global Tuberculosis Closing Strategy. In 2014, the Prime Minister issued the National Strategy for Tuberculosis Prevention and Control to 2020 with a vision to 2030 in showing the strong political commitment of the Party, State and Ministry of Health for the prevention of tuberculosis.

As the malaria situation in the world and in Viet Nam has been escalating unexpectedly, the increased malaria risk that returns in the coming years, the situation on drug-resistant malaria parasites, chemical-resistant malaria mosquitoes and change in population movement of ethnic minorities and poor people, to strengthen the malaria control measures for protecting the people’s health, the Government of Viet Nam commits to continue to maintain the financial investment in the national malaria prevention targetprogram in the period of 2016-2020 in order to maintain the achievements in malaria control; prevent the risk of increased malaria in causing epidemics affectingthe people’s health and life. Strive to achieve the objectives of the National Strategy for the malaria prevention and elimination in the period of 2011-2020 with an orientation to 2030 approved by the Prime Minister. At the same time call for the aid from international organizations and the Global Fund for the malaria prevention and elimination in Viet Nam in the coming period.

To reach such great achievements, it has a significant contribution through the strict and effective cooperation with developed countries and international organizations. In particular, it is impossible not to refer to the cooperation with the French Republic and the Global Fund, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Since 2004, the Global Fund has provided a non-refundable aid to Viet Nam of about 450 million USD for projects on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria prevention; of which 50 million USD is the contribution of the French Republic. A budget of 139 million is granted for the period of 2018-2020.

In the coming period, Viet Nam continues to affirm the Government’s strong commitment in the prevention of three diseases and to further enhance the participation of social community organizations and infected people. Viet Nam is also trying to be self-reliant to ensure sustainable results in the prevention of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by issuing mechanisms and policies through social insurance and health insurance funds, targeted programs and increase the attraction of resources from the community. However, in the difficult economic and social conditions, the burden of AIDS and tuberculosis is still very high in comparison to the given target. The economic and social barrier to the poor and remote areas, discriminationare still high and needthe active intervention. In order to maintain the achievements of Viet Nam in the last years, Viet Nam wishes to continue cooperating closely with its partners and Global Fund in particular in prevention of three diseases, AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, especially in the next aid round after 2020.

On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, Minister of Health of Vietnam would also like to express her deep gratitude to the international partners and organizations that have always supported Viet Nam in the development process in general and in the health development and healthcare in particular.