In anticipation of World AIDS Day, informational and educational events will be held in the Vitebsk region
December 1 is World AIDS Day. This day has acquired the status of an annual event in most countries of the world and demonstrates international solidarity in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic. "Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths" is the motto of World AIDS Day. This motto, proclaimed by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) for 2011-2015, aims to build on successes in the fight against HIV infection and achieve stabilization in the spread of the disease worldwide. This year's theme for World AIDS Day is "Accelerating Action to End AIDS."
According to statistics from the World Health Organization, over 35 million people worldwide are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and this number increases by another 14–15 thousand every day. According to UN estimates, HIV infection ranks 5th among the causes of death worldwide. Currently, the epidemic process in Belarus is characterized by an upward trend in morbidity. There are 15,031 people living with HIV-positive status, with a prevalence rate of 158.5 per 100,000 population. Considering the increasing role of sexual transmission of HIV infection and the high prevalence of HIV infection among the working population aged 39 and older, countering the spread of HIV infection is one of the strategic directions in ensuring the preservation of public health and demographic security of the Republic of Belarus.
In the Vitebsk region, as of November 1, 2015, 1051 cases of HIV infection were registered. In the 10 months of 2015, 99 new cases were detected (compared to 87 in the same period of 2014). The main route of HIV infection spread in the republic and the region is unprotected sexual contact.
A system has been established in our country to ensure maximum accessibility to counseling and testing for HIV infection. Voluntary testing for HIV infection, including anonymous testing, can be done at any healthcare facility with a procedure room. Additionally, anonymous counseling centers operate in the country based on public non-profit organizations, providing counseling and testing services for HIV infection to populations most vulnerable to HIV infection (injection drug users, women involved in sex work, men who have sex with men).
All HIV-positive patients in the Republic of Belarus are under dispensary observation and, if they have indications for specific treatment, are provided with antiretroviral therapy medications free of charge. The number of such patients to date is 6755, including 201 children. In the Vitebsk region, 523 patients receive treatment, including 16 children. By starting antiretroviral treatment in a timely manner and following all doctor's instructions, people living with HIV can live long and fulfilling lives. The quality of life for HIV-positive people, thanks to these medications, is almost indistinguishable from the quality of life for people without HIV and reduces the risk of HIV transmission to others.
In anticipation of World AIDS Day, information and educational events (exhibitions, contests, competitions, open lessons, live broadcasts) aimed at HIV infection prevention are being held in all regions of the Republic of Belarus, including the Vitebsk region. These events are organized by medical specialists, volunteers, media, and non-governmental organizations.
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In Vitebsk, from November 25 to December 5, the "Talking About HIV" film event will take place at the House of Cinema, organized by UP "Kinovideoprokat" (contact phone number 374811).·
On November 30 at 3:00 PM, the Vitebsk Palace of Youth Creativity will host the city-wide campaign "Fighting Fears – Fighting AIDS" for high school students from the city's schools and gymnasiums (contact phone: +375 29 517 59 10).·
On November 27 at 2:00 PM, the "Vitebsk Center of Culture" State Institution will host the informational and educational campaign "The Right to Choose," featuring a forum-theater performance by the youth theater studio "Koleso."·
On December 3, a round table discussion titled "Joining Forces – Stopping the Epidemic!" will be held at the HIV/AIDS Prevention Department of the Vitebsk Regional Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology, and Public Health. Participants will include representatives from the regional executive committee departments, specialists from state healthcare institutions and organizations, leaders of public HIV service organizations, and media representatives. The goal of this event is to identify effective joint measures to increase public awareness of the key aspects of HIV infection prevention and to foster motivation for voluntary testing and a tolerant attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS.For the sake of the future, priority must be given to more effective education of youth on HIV infection prevention and the preservation of the social value of the family, and the birth of a healthy generation. It is necessary to mobilize the efforts of the medical community, specialists in the education system, and the media to educate the public on HIV infection prevention, while simultaneously paying attention to the observance of human rights and the prevention of stigma and discrimination against individuals living with HIV infection.
HIV/AIDS Prevention Department
State Institution "Vitebsk Regional Center for Hygiene,
Epidemiology, and Public Health"