[pronut-hiv] HIV/AIDS prevention targets children

["ProNut-HIV" <pronut-hiv@healthnet.org>]

HIV/AIDS prevention targets children 
   03/21/2006 -- 22:16(GMT+7)  
  
Ha Noi  (VNA) - Over the past years Viet Nam has carried out various
activities aimed at preventing the HIV/AIDS epidemic further spreading
among the population, particularly children.

The government has promulgated a series of legal documents to urge
relevant ministries and agencies to pay more attention to supporting and
caring for disadvantaged children, including those are affected by and
infected with HIV/AIDS.

Additionally, a national strategy on HIV/AIDS prevention and a national
action plan on children during the 2001-2010 period are being
implemented. 

The Committee for Population, Family and Children has given particular
attention to initiatives such as workshops and conferences that
encouraged participation by children.


HIV/AIDS prevention clubs and self-help groups have been established
for the youth, targeting such vulnerable groups as street kids and
HIV/AIDS- infected and -affected children, in order to help strengthen
their ability to fight against the disease. To date, there are 6,000
HIV/AIDS prevention clubs and juvenile reproductive health clubs
nationwide, drawing nearly 150,000 members altogether.

These clubs not only give children information and education about
HIV/AIDS prevention but also provide them with vocational training and
various entertainment activities. 

However, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF),
more efforts by the whole community are still needed to help the
children avoid the scourge of the disease as it has deprived children
living with HIV/AIDS of basic rights. Those coming from
HIV/AIDS-stricken families often have to face such problems as poverty,
malnutrition and discrimination.

In order to help children get better access to information and
education about HIV/AIDS, and protect their rights, an East Asia and
Pacific Regional Consultation on Children and AIDS is scheduled to take
place in Ha Noi between Mar. 22-24.

The conference, expected to draw nearly 300 representatives from
countries and organisations around the world, will approve a global
action plan on protecting children from HIV/AIDS and ensuring that all
children in the region have access to rights and development
opportunities in accordance with the motto "For a sustainable
development future, invest in children", of the United Nations General
Assembly on HIV/AIDS in 2001 and on Children in 2002. 

To date, about 8,500 Vietnamese children aged 0-15 are estimated to
have contracted with HIV/AIDS and 22,000 children have been orphaned by
the disease.-Enditem

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