Seminar reviews HIV-infected women’s access to loans
A seminar took place in Hanoi on December 11 to collect feedback on a report on HIV-infected women’s access to the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP)’s loans.
Hanoi (VNA) ♒– A seminar took place in Hanoi on December 11to collect feedback on a report on HIV-infected women’s access to the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies(VBSP)’s loans.
Speakingat the event, Country Representative of the UN Women in Vietnam ElisaFeznandes said the event aims to seek measures to improve HIV-infected women’saccess to loans and legal assistance, as well as their livelihoods. Sheadded that households affected by HIV easily fall into poverty due to higherantiretroviral (ARV) cost, thereby affecting their access to education andother opportunities. Accordingto her, HIV-infected women not only need ARV drug and medical services but alsosocial support and livelihood guarantee. DeputyDirector of the VBSP’s Credit Department for students and other socialbeneficiaries said the loan programme for HIV patients and their families is piloted in 15 cities and provinces during 2016-2020. The bank has so faroffered loans worth 14 billion VND (605,000 USD) to them. However,the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs reported that only 84 HIVpatients and families received loans, or 16.7 percent of eligible ones inaccordance with the Prime Minister’s Decision No.29/2014/QD-TTg. Participantssuggested enhancing authorities’ attention to HIV prevention and control,supporting livelihoods for HIV patients, and improving the role ofsocio-political organisations in helping borrowers use loans effectively./.
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At a VBSP branch in Thai Nguyen (Photo: VNA) 
