Minister Dempsey Marks World AIDS Day at AIDS Centre in Hanoi Vietnam

Mr Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Communications Marine and Natural Resources marked World AIDS day today with a visit to a support centre for HIV/AIDS patients in Hanoi, Vietnam. The event was hosted by the Women’s Union of Vietnam.

Minister Dempsey is in Hanoi to attend an ASEM ICT Ministerial Meeting.

Speaking today Minister Dempsey said “I am here today to show solidarity between the people of Ireland and those affected by the HIV virus in Vietnam. The Irish Government has made considerable funding available through Irish Aid to tackle HIV and other global communicable diseases. As Minister for Communications I am particularly encouraged by the positive impact that responsible information can have on tackling the further spread of the HIV/AIDS virus. I know that the UNAIDS website in Vietnam has received almost 2 million hits to date which is very encouraging given the fact that this country is only beginning to embrace the information age. There is huge potential to further develop IT systems to tackle critical healthcare issues such as this. My Government is committed to developing deeper links with Vietnam in this regard.”

In 2005 the Irish Government announced an additional fund of one hundred million per year to tackle HIV and other global communicable diseases.

Every day 100 people are newly infected with HIV in Vietnam (source Ministry of Health 2005).

ENDS

Note for Photodesks:

Pictured are Minister Dempsey with Venerable Quang, a Buddhist monk who is very active in supporting people living with HIV in Vietnam. The Minister, Venerable Quang and Ms Nancy Fee (also in photo)head of UNAIDS met with a group of Vietnamese people who are HIV positive to show solidarity between the people of Ireland and those who are HIV positive. Today is World Aids Day. Ireland contributes EUR100 million per annum for HIV programmes in the developing world.