Vitebsk will host events dedicated to the International AIDS Prevention Day

WORLD AIDS DAY

The World AIDS Day was first proclaimed by the World Health Organization on December 1, 1988, and this day acquired the status of an annual event in most countries of the world. Since 1996, it has been held by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The purpose of World AIDS Day is to raise awareness of HIV infection and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the epidemic.

Currently, the number of people living with HIV infection is 35.3 million people. In 2012 alone, 2.3 million people worldwide were infected with HIV, and another 1.6 million died from related diseases. 2.3 million people are living with HIV in the WHO European Region. At least one in three people living with HIV in Europe does not know their status, and in almost 50% of cases, the diagnosis is made late, which means that many people have not been tested before the onset of symptoms of the disease (UNAIDS Global Report 2012).

As of November 1, 2013, 15,412 cases of HIV infection have been registered in the Republic of Belarus, and the number of people living with HIV is 12,072. Over the past few years, there has been a trend towards an increase in the detection of HIV infection in older age groups of the population. Thus, the number of new cases of HIV infection in the age group of 30-39 years has increased 1.5 times by 2013 compared to 2007, and in the age group of 40 years and older - 2.5 times. The highest prevalence of HIV infection is observed among men and women aged 30-39 years.

In the Vitebsk region, as of November 1, 2013, 833 cases of HIV infection were registered. For 10 months of 2013, 80 new cases were detected (for the same period in 2012 - 71). The main route of HIV infection transmission in the republic and the region is unprotected sexual contact.

The global campaign “Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths” was launched in 2011 and will run until 2015. The campaign envisages that different countries and population groups will choose one or more of the most relevant topics each year for active promotion in the region.

From 22 to 29 November 2013, the first European HIV Testing Week will be held.

The theme of the Testing Week is: “Talk about HIV. Get tested for HIV.” Its aim is to encourage people to openly discuss the benefits of HIV testing and to expand the dialogue between all stakeholders and organizations.

The objective of the Testing Week is to raise awareness of the benefits of regular HIV testing, to motivate more people to get tested, to expand the scope of HIV testing initiated by healthcare professionals, and ultimately, to ensure that more people living in Europe know their HIV status.

What are the benefits of HIV testing?

Thanks to treatment advances over the last 30 years, HIV infection is treatable, and people diagnosed with HIV infection at an early stage respond better to treatment and live longer, fuller lives. Early diagnosis and timely treatment can reduce the likelihood of further transmission of the virus to other people.

During the Testing Week:

Political leaders, cultural and sports figures, etc. can speak out in support of the benefits of free, confidential HIV testing.

Healthcare professionals are recommended to offer HIV testing in the presence of HIV-indicator diseases and other indications.

Non-governmental organizations are encouraged to carry out activities to raise awareness about HIV testing or to expand access to it among representatives of key populations at increased risk of HIV infection: men who have sex with men, injecting drug users, sex workers, migrants, and prisoners.

On the International Day of AIDS Prevention and on the eve of this date, thematic events, art exhibitions, round tables, press conferences, as well as various events dedicated to the problem of HIV/AIDS will be organized in the Vitebsk region. Thematic information will be disseminated in the media in all cities and districts of the region.

In Vitebsk, from November 25 to December 5, the cinema action "HIV: We Are in the Frame" (contact phone 374811) will be held at the House of Cinema of UP "Kinovideoprokat".

On November 29 at 15:00, the city event "Generation ZERO" for high school students and gymnasiums of the city will take place at the State Educational Institution "Palace of Creativity of Children and Youth of Vitebsk".

On November 30, at 19:00, the information and educational event "The Game is Over" will be held at the State Institution "Center of Culture "Vitebsk", Vitebsk" with a forum-theater performance by the youth theater studio "Koleso", starting at 19:00.

On December 1 at 19:00, a rock concert "Choosing Life..." will be held in the exhibition hall of the State Institution "Cultural and Historical Complex "Golden Ring of Vitebsk "Dvina".

On December 3, the HIV/AIDS Prevention Department of the State Institution "Vitebsk Regional Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health" will host a round table "Joining Forces - Let's Stop the Epidemic!", which will be attended by representatives of the regional executive committee departments, specialists from state healthcare institutions and organizations, heads of public HIV service organizations, and media representatives. The purpose of this event is to identify effective joint measures to increase public awareness of the main aspects of HIV infection prevention and to foster motivation for voluntary testing and a tolerant attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS.

We invite you to join the organization and conduct of events dedicated to the International AIDS Prevention Day.??

HIV/AIDS Prevention Department of the State Institution "Vitebsk Regional Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health"

(tel. 58-00-21, 23-80-82)