The President of VUSTA working with the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria

The Executive Board of the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria was particularly impressed and highly appreciated the achievements of Vietnam in its efforts to combat and control diseases, including the contributions of projects implemented by VUSTA

That was stated by Ms. Bience Gawanas, Vice Chairman of the Global Fund Board, during her visit and working session at the headquarters of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) on the morning of May 12, 2023.

VUSTAPresident Phan Xuan Dung hosts reception for Ms. Bience Gawanas, Vice Chairman, and the delegation of the Executive Board of the Global Fund at the VUSTA headquarters.

Previously, from May 8-12, 2023, Vietnam had the honor of hosting the 49th Conference of the Global Fund, with the presence of the leaders of the Vietnamese Government and Ministry of Health, the Executive Board of the Global Fund, and representatives of governmental leaders from many countries worldwide, to discuss important policies of the Global Fund in supporting Vietnam in health sector. It was also an opportunity for the leaders of the Global Fund and countries worldwide to gain direct insights into the achievements in the fight against tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and malaria in Vietnam. As part of the program in Vietnam, the delegation of the Executive Board of the Global Fund, led by Mrs. Bience Gawanas, Vice Chairman of the Board, visited and worked at the VUSTA’s headquarters.

During the courtesy meeting, Dr.Sc. Phan Xuan Dung, a member of the National Assembly and President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), highly appreciated and expressed gratitude for the support of the Global Fund to Vietnam in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria over the past years. He also expressed confidence that the cooperation between VUSTA and the Global Fund will continue to be maintained excellently as it has been over the past 12 years. On this occasion, he congratulated Ms. Bience Gawanas on her election as Vice Chairman of the Global Fund during the 49th Board Conference held in Vietnam.

Ms. Bience Gawanas, Vice Chairman of the Global Fund, and the members of the Global Fund delegation highly appreciate VUSTA's role as a partner of the Global Fund since 2011, actively contributing, along with the collective efforts of the Vietnamese Government, to the prevention, control, and eventual end of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Vietnam. She expects that during this working visit to Vietnam, she will have a better understanding of the implementation of the Global Fund's programs, studying innovative and successful models, and she will also share them with other countries.

On the same day, the delegation had a discussion with the Project Management Board of VUSTA regarding the achievements, learned lessons, and future directions of program implementation. During the discussion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Thao, Vice President of VUSTA and Director of the VUSTA Project, proposed that the Global Fund, as well as the governments of various countries and international organizations, continue to show interest, support, and assistance to VUSTA and its partners in order to maintain and leverage the achieved results. He emphasized the importance of continuous innovation to help Vietnam achieving its goals in ending the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria epidemics.

The members of the Global Fund delegation raised several questions to exchange experiences regarding VUSTA's project implementation methods, the role of VUSTA in supporting and coordinating affiliated organizations involved in project implementation, community consultation and policy feedback, support activities, legal advice for project beneficiaries, and the coordination between the project and other partners. The delegation highly appreciated the initiatives and intervention models based on evidence from scientific research and empirical data that have been implemented, continuously improved, and perfected to effectively utilize the resources provided by the Global Fund. They also emphasized the significant importance of collaboration and support from various parties, including the government, private sectors, social organizations, and community organizations, in the efforts to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic and maintain the program's sustainability.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Thao, Vice President of VUSTA, chaired the meeting to discuss the results of the VUSTA project with the delegation of the Global Fund

The scene of the meeting

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria is a multilateral financial mechanism (supported by voluntary contributions from countries, private organizations, charitable foundations, businesses, etc.) with the goal of ending the three diseases: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The funding from the Global Fund has become one of the important sources of support for HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities in Vietnam. The Global Fund has made significant contributions to the outcomes and achievements of HIV/AIDS prevention and control efforts in Vietnam.