CODE Project: CARMAH-Vietnam

“Partnering with APCOM on the CODE project under the EJAF fund has been a pivotal step in advancing HIV response, LGBTIQ rights, and community resilience. Together, we are committed to creating inclusive spaces and driving lasting change for marginalized communities, ensuring their voices are heard in the fight for equality and health.”
— Vu Thai Hoang (Ritchie), Project Focal Point

Vision

to become Vietnam’s leading research centre led by and serving LGBTQI+ communities, focusing on sexual health and holistic wellbeing. Mission: to conduct high-quality, standardised research to improve the health and quality of life of LGBTQI+ people through effective, data-driven health interventions. CARMAH also builds the capacity of community members to design, deliver and evaluate their own health services.

CARMAH ensures that research translates into meaningful action and sustainable impact — building community members’ capacity to design, deliver and evaluate their own health services.

As Vietnam partner of the EJAF-supported CODE Strategies project, CARMAH implements the testSGN campaign in Ho Chi Minh City. Achievements include:

• Signing eight MOUs with community-based organisations, private clinics, the city health authority and an academic institute.
• Referring 3,077 LGBTQ+ people for HIV testing and linking 466 to PrEP in January–March 2025, followed by 2,209 testing referrals and 491 PrEP linkages from 4,130 enquiries in April–June 2025.
• Producing community-cast campaign videos, cultural PrEP events blending art and health, and digital partnerships including with the dating app JackD.
• Sustaining services and visibility despite the freeze of USAID/PEPFAR support and strict advertising policies for HIV-related content.

Back to the main article

---