SCDI presents to readers the outstanding news of December 2025.

Community-based TB screening strengthens early detection in Hai Phong

From November 26 to 30, SCDI, in coordination with Hai Phong Lung Hospital, conducted community-based screenings for TB and non-communicable diseases in five wards and communes in eastern Hai Phong.

Nearly 1,960 people from high-risk groups accessed digital chest X-rays via a mobile X-ray unit, blood pressure checks, and blood glucose testing. Suspected TB cases were referred for GeneXpert testing, while individuals with other lung abnormalities received lung function tests to support early detection of asthma, COPD, and chronic respiratory conditions.

Photo: People gather for TB screening in Hai Phong.

SCDI and Hai Phong Lung Hospital are currently returning test results and linking individuals to treatment for TB, asthma, and COPD through local hospitals and primary health facilities. The combined approach of community outreach and health system collaboration continues to improve access for people facing barriers to care, contributing to local efforts to end TB.

Expanding access to community-based TB screening in Ho Chi Minh City

From December 5 to 7, SCDI partnered with the National TB Program, Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital, and local health facilities to conduct community TB screening in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City.

Nearly 900 people received health check-ups and chest X-rays, with around 80 suspected TB cases identified for further sputum testing and timely treatment referral.

Photo: A CBO member helping people to get onto the mobile X-ray unit.

On-site screening helped detect TB early, making health services more accessible to the community. The activity also provided valuable insights into local health needs, informing future community-based interventions. SCDI will continue working with local partners to expand TB screening and support Vietnam’s goal of ending TB.

SCDI shares community perspectives at the National Conference on Sex Work Prevention for the 2021–2025 period

At the national review conference on the Sex Work Prevention Program for the 2021–2025 period, organized by the Administration of Social Protection, SCDI shared field-based insights from its long-term work with sex workers and other vulnerable communities.

Discussions highlighted how economic shocks, COVID-19, climate-related disasters, and legal barriers, particularly around identification documents for transgender people, have increased livelihood insecurity and limited access to health and social services.

Photo: Dr. Le Thi Ha, Senior Advisor, Community Support Program - SCDI, shared insights at the Conference Reviewing the Prostitution Prevention and Control Program organized by the Department of Social Protection.

SCDI emphasized the importance of sustained, context-sensitive, community-based support, including HIV and STI prevention, healthcare access, social protection, and mental health support. In 2024 alone, SCDI supported over 32,000 HIV prevention services and facilitated access to health insurance for hundreds of community members. The conference reinforced the need for rights-based, evidence-informed approaches, which remain central to SCDI’s future programming.

VUSTA–Global Fund project review reflects on 2025 and sets direction for 2026

SCDI joined the 2025 review meeting of the VUSTA–Global Fund HIV/AIDS project, reflecting on achievements, lessons learned, and priorities for 2026.

Throughout 2025, community-based screening, testing, communication, and RDS surveys helped reach high-risk groups in Nghe An, Thai Binh, and other provinces. Improved electronic client coding and RDS procedures reduced duplication and strengthened data quality, supporting timely linkage to HIV treatment, ARV, PrEP, TB care, hepatitis services, and mental health support.

Photo: Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, Coastal Region Coordinator, shared about SCDI’s activities implemented under the VUSTA–Global Fund HIV/AIDS prevention project in 2025.

Looking ahead, the project will continue to strengthen community capacity, refine monitoring systems, and reinforce collaboration between community networks and health facilities to ensure safe and timely access to services for vulnerable populations.

CSET strengthens storytelling and digital communication for Universal Health Coverage Day

In response to Universal Health Coverage Day, members of the Community System to End TB (CSET) participated in a training on TikTok content creation and storytelling, drawing from their daily experiences working in the community.

The session created space for sharing, learning, and practicing new communication tools, helping community workers confidently tell their own stories and highlight the role of community-led approaches in healthcare.

Photo: CSET members explored storytelling using “raw materials” from their daily work and everyday life.

By amplifying lived experiences, CSET members help bring everyday community health work closer to the public and promote greater understanding of inclusive, people-centered health systems.

SCDI joins Christmas celebration at British International School Hanoi

On December 12, SCDI participated in the Christmas event hosted by British International School Hanoi.

BIS Hanoi has always been a trusted partner whose support is crucial in helping SCDI create learning and development opportunities for children facing disadvantages. The event provided an opportunity to introduce the Breaking the Cycle program to teachers, parents, and students, helping bring the program’s work closer to the wider community.

Photo: SCDI team at the event

Expanding harm reduction and integrated community healthcare

SCDI continues to strengthen harm reduction and community-led healthcare models across multiple provinces, recognizing that HIV and health challenges require long-term, integrated responses rather than isolated interventions.

Community-based organizations supported by SCDI deliver HIV and STI testing, treatment linkage, PrEP access, mental health screening, and harm reduction services within trusted community spaces. These integrated models reduce barriers, address overlapping needs, and support sustained engagement with healthcare.

Photo: A CBO member referred clients to a healthcare facility.

With support from ViiV Healthcare, SCDI is building community capacity, standardizing good practices, and promoting collaboration to expand inclusive, stigma-free, and sustainable care rooted in community leadership.

DREAMH integrates mental health into community harm reduction

DREAMH is SCDI’s initiative to integrate mental health care into harm reduction and addiction treatment services, responding to unmet mental health needs among people who use substances and other vulnerable groups.

Implemented from 2025 to 2028 in six provinces, DREAMH works through community-based organizations and outreach workers. Current activities include baseline mental health assessments in Hanoi and Ninh Binh, conducted jointly by community workers and psychiatrists in safe, familiar settings.

Photo: Baseline assessment using the Quick Screening Tool (QST)

The project introduces the QST rapid screening tool alongside clinical assessments to support early detection, referral, and follow-up. By strengthening links between community teams and mental health services, DREAMH builds a continuous care pathway and reinforces SCDI’s commitment to holistic, community-centered health care.

HPV prevention supports comprehensive care for women living with HIV

Women living with HIV face a significantly higher risk of cervical cancer, yet many still encounter barriers to HPV screening and prevention.

Through the Global Fund project to Fight HIV/AIDS, SCDI implemented HPV communication and screening support activities, providing accurate information through healthcare professionals and supporting the cost of HPV testing. Women with high-risk HPV results were connected to counseling, follow-up, and treatment services.

Photo: A knowledge sharing session on HPV and cervical cancer with the participation of healthcare staff in Nghe An.

By combining health services with community networks, the intervention helps women living with HIV access preventive care in a safe, timely, and sustainable way.

Breaking the Cycle 2025 review in Hai Phong

On December 21, SCDI held the 2025 annual review of the Breaking the Cycle program in Hai Phong, with participation from tesa Site Hai Phong and the Hai Phong Children Community Development Club.

The event reflected on a year of sustained implementation and long-term collaboration that helped expand reach and deepen impact for children and families. Children also took part in games and received small Christmas gifts, creating a warm and joyful end-of-year moment.

Photo: Nguyen Thi Ha, SCDI’s Coastal Region Coordinator, presented a commemorative gift to Ms. Du Thi Chi, Head of Human Resources at tesa Site Hai Phong Co., Ltd.

Online safety session for Breaking the Cycle children in Hanoi

Children in the Breaking the Cycle program in Hanoi joined an interactive session on online safety, supported by volunteer tutors from Hyundai Jump School.

Through discussion and activities, children learned how to protect themselves online and felt encouraged to ask questions and share their thoughts. Parents also participated, creating space for dialogue and shared learning between families and the program.

Photo: Through real-life scenarios, children were guided on how to stay safe while using social media.

The session ended with small Christmas gifts as a gesture of encouragement and connection.

A warm Christmas with Breaking the Cycle children in Ho Chi Minh City

In the festive Christmas season, children in the Breaking the Cycle program in Ho Chi Minh City joined a joyful activity with program volunteers.

Children colored, decorated cards, and wrote holiday wishes, creating a safe and friendly space for creativity, focus, and connection.  Activities like this are crucial to create moments of joy and emotional warmth, supporting children’s confidence, sense of belonging, and connection as the year came to a close.

Photo: Children take part in a card-making activity, creating small holiday messages to share with people they care about.