From the 15th to the 16th of November, SCDI participated in the scientific conference titled "Towards Ending the Epidemic in Vietnam," held in Hai Phong. The event was organized by the Vietnam Administration for HIV/AIDS Control, the National Agency for Research on Emerging Infectious Diseases (ANRS-MIE), and Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy.
The conference aimed to share research findings on HIV/AIDS and emerging infectious diseases funded by ANRS from 2019 to 2023. Additionally, it provided a platform for exchanging experiences in applying these research results in Vietnam and offered guidance for future research in this field. Under the leadership of Vice Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, Minister of Health, and Prof. Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, Nobel Prize in Health 2008 recipient and the first scientist to discover enzymatic evidence of the HIV virus, the conference was co-chaired. The event was graced by the presence of esteemed individuals, including Mr. Olivier Brochet, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Vietnam; Prof. Sharon Lewin, President of the International AIDS Society; Prof. Yazdan Yazdanpanah, Director of ANRS; Vice Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Thu Huong, Director General of Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control and coordinator of ANRS research sites in Vietnam.
Photo: Delegates attending the conference
This scientific conference marks a significant milestone in celebrating 50 years of Franco-Vietnamese cooperation and commemorates the 40th anniversary of the discovery of the HIV virus. With the participation of nearly 300 delegates, including scientists, health managers, researchers, and officials engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention and control domestically and internationally, as well as representatives from community groups and partner organizations, the conference showcased ANRS-MIE, a leading global research and grant provider in Public Health. ANRS-MIE annually allocates millions of dollars for research on emerging infectious diseases worldwide.
The conference comprised seven discussion sessions featuring presentations by national and international experts affiliated with ANRS-MIE. Notably, Dr. Khuat Thi Hai Oanh moderated the session titled "CHEER model: from research to implementation."
Photo: Dr. Khuat Thi Hai Oanh moderating the session "The CHEER model: from research to implementation"
The CHEER (Community-Based HIV Intervention and Epidemiology Assessment) project utilizes cross-sectional surveys with RDS (Respondent Driven Sampling) to evaluate the HIV epidemiological landscape within the target population. This approach aims to identify intervention strategies aligned with survey findings. Importantly, this model is an enhanced replication of the successful DRIVE research model implemented in Hai Phong by SCDI.
Scientists provided updates on the progress and shared the latest results of research on HIV/AIDS, hepatitis viruses, emerging infectious diseases, and the research orientation in these areas in the near future. This information holds significant implications for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in Vietnam.
