SCDI presents to readers the outstanding news of April 2025.

ANRS-MIE representative visited the SCDI office in Hai Phong 

Associate Professor Dr. Ann-Claire Gourinat (Deputy Coordinator of ANRS-MIE, France) visited the SCDI office and the Hai Dang community group in Hai Phong.

The meeting focused on ongoing activities, especially the DRIVE project. The Hai Dang group shared the challenges their clients face and the support they provide, expressing a desire to continue collaborating with SCDI and ANRS-MIE.

Assoc. Prof. Ann-Claire acknowledged the significant role of community groups in helping clients access services. This visit served as encouragement and opened positive prospects for future cooperation.

Photo: Assoc. Prof Ann-Claire visiting Hai Dang

SCDI Ninh Binh welcomed the delegation from the Administration of Disease Prevention and WHO

SCDI's Ninh Binh office welcomed a delegation from the Administration of Disease Prevention (Ministry of Health) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The visit aimed to evaluate the community-based organization (CBO) model under the VUSTA - Global Fund HIV (GF-HIV) Project in the province.

Attendees included representatives from WHO Western Pacific Region, WHO experts, WHO Vietnam, leaders from the Department of Preventive Medicine, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and Ninh Binh CDC.

The delegation discussed SCDI, the CBO model, project activities, and the advantages and challenges of implementing the GF-HIV project locally, seeking solutions for improved effectiveness.

This event affirms the value of SCDI's work and opens potential future collaborations to combat HIV/AIDS, improve quality of life, and promote sustainable community development.

Photo: The delegation and SCDI staff in Ninh Binh

SCDI presented at the joint SEAR & WPR regional workshop on accelerating the implementation of new policies of the WHO on TB

A joint SEAR & WPR regional workshop on accelerating the implementation of new policies of the WHO on TB was held in Hanoi from April 1st to 4th. Organized by WHO, Unitaid, KNCV, the Global Fund, and Vietnam's National TB Programme, it involved about 80 delegates from different countries and organizations.

This key event follows WHO's 2024 updates on TB prevention, diagnosis, nutrition, and drug-resistant TB treatment. These improvements promise greater flexibility for countries, better patient quality of life, and significant cost savings.

During the April 1st session, Nguyen Thai Binh from SCDI shared insights on the Community System to End TB (CSET) network. CSET, an SCDI initiative, aims to improve access to quality TB services for affected communities in Vietnam. Since its inception, CSET has been working to address gaps in TB prevention and control, focusing on vulnerable and high-risk groups with limited access to services. 

Photo: Ms. Nguyen Thai Binh shares about CSET at the workshop

CSET plays a crucial role in community awareness, outreach, screening promotion, and patient support throughout treatment, acting as an extension of the healthcare system to help Vietnam move towards its 2035 TB elimination goal.

Breaking the Cycle activities

In Hanoi

Children from the Breaking the Cycle project in Hanoi visited Bát Tràng Pottery Village, enjoying engaging activities as part of the "Steps of Experience" program organized by Hyundai Jump School.

The kids toured the Bát Tràng Pottery Museum, explored its impressive architecture, and learned about the village's pottery heritage. They also got hands-on experience crafting their own pottery pieces, diving enthusiastically into the creative process despite getting muddy.

The trip brought joy, new experiences, and a deeper understanding of traditional culture and the craft of pottery.

Photo: The kids visiting Bát Tràng Pottery Museum

In Ho Chi Minh City

Various themed activities were held for the Breaking the Cycle project in Ho Chi Minh City:

• A session on "My Body - My Emotions" focused on teaching children to recognize and prevent abuse, enhancing their understanding of personal boundaries, and building confidence through creative methods like animated videos and simple illustrations.
• A cultural activity, "Back to Roots," delved into the history and significance of Hùng Kings' Day, fostering a sense of pride and connection to national traditions.
• A "Sharing Circle" created a safe space for the high schoolers in the project to discuss their future goals, inspiring them to set clear academic and personal aspirations.
• A reading and storytelling session provided a fun yet educational platform to develop critical thinking and listening skills, as children summarized and shared valuable lessons from stories.

Photo: During the sharing session "My body - My emotion" on preventing sexual abuse

These activities not only provided enriching experiences and valuable life skills but also reinforced the project's mission to create a supportive, educational environment where children can thrive, grow, and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.