Decision No. 16/2007/QĐ-BYT on approving the National Action Program on information, education, and communication to change behavior in HIV/AIDS prevention and control until 2010.

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the approval of the National Action Program on Information, Education, and Communication to Change Behavior for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control until 2010

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THE MINISTER OF HEALTH

Pursuant to Decree No. 49/2003/NĐ-CP dated May 15, 2003 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

Pursuant to Decision No. 36/2004/QĐ-TTg dated March 17, 2004 of the Prime Minister approving the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in Vietnam until 2010 with a vision to 2020;

At the proposal of the Director of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department under the Ministry of Health.

DECISION:

Article 1. Approve the National Action Program on Information, Education, and Communication to Change Behavior for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control until 2010 (attached herewith), with the main contents as follows:

1. Objectives of the National Action Program on Information, Education, and Communication to Change Behavior for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control until 2010

Determining the Administrative Reform Index to monitor and evaluate in a substantive, objective, and fair manner the annual implementation results of administrative reform of ministries, agencies equivalent to ministries (referred to as ministries), and people's committees of provinces and central-supervised cities (referred to as provinces) during the implementation of the Comprehensive Program on Administrative Reform of State Agencies for the 2011-2020 period.

Enhance awareness, change attitudes and behaviors of all people regarding HIV/AIDS prevention and control, contributing to the successful implementation of the objectives of the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in Vietnam until 2010 with a vision to 2020.

b) Specific objectives by 2010:

- Expand the coverage of information, provide materials, and strengthen information, education, and communication activities to change behavior for HIV/AIDS prevention and control at all levels, sectors, and among the population.

- Enhance awareness, understanding, and change behaviors of leaders, civil servants, employees, and the public, especially those at high risk of HIV/AIDS and preventive measures against HIV/AIDS.

- Contribute to increasing the proportion of the population, particularly those in high-risk groups, practicing safe preventive behaviors against HIV infection.

- Contribute to reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and their families; enhance care, support, and treatment for people living with HIV; create a favorable environment for people living with HIV to integrate into the community.

- Enhance the capacity of the system in managing, organizing, and implementing information, education, and communication activities to change behavior for HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

2. Implementation Measures

a) Social measures:

- Strengthen the leadership of the Party, government, and mass organizations at all levels over information, education, and communication activities for HIV/AIDS prevention and control;

- Coordinate inter-sectorally and mobilize the community to organize and participate in information, education, and communication activities to change behavior for HIV/AIDS prevention and control;

b) Technical measures:

- Vigorously and comprehensively implement information, education, and communication activities to change behavior for HIV/AIDS prevention and control;

- Develop and enhance personal skills in HIV/AIDS prevention and care;

- Increase the quantity and quality of communication materials and messages;

- Integrate information, education, and communication activities to change behavior for HIV/AIDS prevention and control with other economic and social development programs;

- Ensure that all measures and activities of the information, education, and communication program to change behavior are designed and implemented based on scientific evidence and practical experience.

c) Measures to enhance management capacity and increase resources:

- Improve the management mechanism and operational procedures of the program;

- Mobilize resources and international cooperation.

Article 2. Implementation

1. The Ministry of Health: serves as the coordinating body with central ministries, sectors, and mass organizations to develop plans, direct, and organize the implementation of the National Action Program on Information, Education, and Communication to Change Behavior for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control until 2010 according to the vertical system from central to local levels, in accordance with the functions and responsibilities of each level, sector, and mass organization as prescribed in the Law on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control and the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in Vietnam until 2010 with a vision to 2020.

Health authorities at all levels are responsible for taking the lead and coordinating with relevant agencies in providing accurate and scientific information about HIV/AIDS; supporting technical assistance to agencies, organizations, and units at the same level in developing plans, directing, organizing, supervising, and evaluating information, education, and communication activities to change behavior for HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

2. Central Ministries, Sectors, and Mass Organizations: Based on the objectives and directions of the National Action Program on Information, Education, and Communication to Change Behavior, provisions of the Law on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in Vietnam, and the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in Vietnam until 2010 with a vision to 2020, develop action plans and invest resources for information, education, and communication activities to change behavior for HIV/AIDS prevention and control within their respective ministries, sectors, and mass organizations, focusing on priority target groups and areas within their jurisdiction; monitor, supervise, and evaluate the implementation of program activities according to the vertical system.

3. People's Committees at all levels: Based on the objectives and directions of the Action Program on Information, Education, and Communication to Change Behavior, provisions of the Law on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in Vietnam, and the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in Vietnam until 2010 with a vision to 2020, develop action plans, invest resources, and organize the implementation of information, education, and communication activities to change behavior for HIV/AIDS prevention and control in their respective localities, focusing on priority target groups and areas; manage, monitor, and supervise the implementation of program activities at their respective levels.

4. Mass Media Agencies: Prioritize time slots and broadcasting duration for information, education, and communication activities to change behavior for HIV/AIDS prevention and control on radio and television stations; allocate space and positions for publication in print, visual, and online media according to regulations of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Article 3This Decision shall take effect 15 days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 4. The Heads of the Office, Directors of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department, Heads of the Legal Affairs Department, Heads of units under the Ministry, Directors of Provincial Health Departments, Heads of Health Services of various sectors, and related units are responsible for implementing this Decision./.