Since 2011, we’ve been working with the Thai Binh Medical University, the Research Centre for Rural Population and Health, the Center for Environment and Health Studies and the Institute for Reproductive and Family Health to deliver screening, treatment and research programs across Vietnam. Our programs have been running in various regions, including the provinces of Thai Binh, Vinh Phuc and Hoa Binh in the north, and in Can Tho and Hau Giang.
To date, about 40,000 women have been screened and slightly over 6 percent have tested VIA positive. Initially not all women appreciated the importance of treatment, but treatment levels have improved over the course of our programs. In recent times 95-100 percent of VIA positive women have received treatment. In the areas where we have been working there has been a notable increase in knowledge about cervical cancer and the importance of screening.
Our first program in Vietnam was in the Province of Thai Binh. In 2019, the new Center for Disease Control in Thai Binh assumed responsibility for ongoing screening of all women in the Province. This is a most welcome development. Because ACCF has limited resources, from the outset of our programs in Vietnam we had sought to encourage local authorities to assume greater responsibility.
