More than 2,500 women, children and caregivers living with or affected by HIV have received support from a project run by the Netherlands-Vietnam Medical Committee.
Project helps HIV kids integrate into society The project on prevention of mother to child HIV transmission, especially in vulnerable women, ran from March 2009 to June this year, and received 1.7 million euros (US$2.1 million) in funding from the Dutch Embassy.
The project was implemented in seven northern cities and provinces, namely Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, Dien Bien and Yen Bai.
It helped establish 14 support groups, including 12 for women living with HIV, one for elderly caregivers in Quang Ninh Province, and one for injecting female drug users and sex workers in Hanoi.
Groups' members experienced an increase in economic support, through education, emergency services and revolving funds introduced by the programme.
The programme offered small loans to women who wanted to start up their own small businesses. Many successful small business activities saw the women play a greater role in contributing to their family income and their position in the household also improved.
It also strengthened the capacity of group members by offering training courses and exchange visits.