Some 178,000 people are living with HIV and AIDS in Vietnam while more than 42,700 have died from the disease since it was first recorded here in late 1990, said experts Saturday.

More than 146,600 of the current patients have HIV while nearly 32,000 have full-blown AIDS.

The rate of HIV/AIDS infections in the country has been on the rise recently, according to the association.

The association said it would continue building HIV/AIDS services and carrying out research aiming to develop HIV/AIDS drugs from locally-produced ingredients.

The association will also work with health sector training centers to provide more HIV patients with nursing training. The group also plans to open chapters in provinces and cities with the highest HIV/AIDS rates by 2010.

Source: VNA