VietNamNet Bridge - The program will be carried out from March 2009 through a project “Communicating to combat HIV/AIDS transmission via public transport vehicles” in Hanoi aided by the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
In the short-term, the project will only be carried out in Hanoi and will last until the end May, 2009.
The project is directed at young people but especially high-school students. This is the first time, public transport vehicles have become a tool to convey messages about HIV/AIDS prevention and discrimination against people with the disease.
The message printed on buses is: “Your lovers are able to be infected with HIV. Please understand, share and seek help”.
The route of the selected buses goes through populous areas and big universities in the city. With clear, simple and easily understandable messages, PEPFAR hopes the Vietnamese people, especially the young generation will pay attention to, learn about and have awareness of protecting themselves from the disease.
By the end of 2007, the number of Vietnamese infected with HIV was up to 290,000 cases; the number of adults and children that died of the disease was 20,000. Although the government has made efforts, the understanding of HIV/AIDS of people, especially young students and pupils have not been raised dramatically.
In 2004, Vietnam officially became the 15th member, aided by PEPFAR. By the end of 2008, aid of PEPFAR for Vietnam, in the field of HIV/AIDS transmission care, treatment and prevention was 233.7 million USD.
Bus promotes HIV/AIDS awareness