Different information sessions for young people, roundtable meetings and social activists will be staged all over the country during a month within the awareness-raising campaign “It concerns you! It concerns everyone! Test for HIV!”, IPN reports, quoting the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family, in partnership with UNAIDS Moldova and the public association “Positive initiative”, on May 13 launched the second awareness-raising campaign aimed at disseminating the importance of testing for HIV and combating stereotypes about the people living with this disease.

“During the last few years, all the conditions needed for safe, voluntary, confidential and free treatment of the persons with HIV have been created in the Republic of Moldova. These can ask for anonymous support before and after the testing.  Knowledge of the HIV status and initiation of treatment ensure an absolutely normal life for the infected persons, members of their families and even for the future children” said Deputy Minister of Health Aliona Serbulenco.

Currently, 62 consultative offices provide HIV counseling and voluntary testing services. Four social centers that offer assistance and protection to HIV-infected persons were recently opened in Chisinau, Balti, Comrat and Tiraspol. “It is important to realize that nobody is immune to HIV, while the social inclusion of the HIV-infected persons is imperative,” said Djulieta Popescu, head of the Social Assistance Policies of the Ministry of Labor.

Experts warn that HIV affects young people, of reproductive age, who can work, while the heterosexual transmission remains at a high level and expands to all the areas. “The goal of the UN to stop the HIV epidemic can be achieved only if the people realize, first of all, the necessity of testing for HIV voluntarily and regularly,” said UNAIDS Country Manager Svetlana Plamadeala.

Over 10,000 cases of HIV were recorded in Moldova at the end of 2015, 58% of which in men, while 42% in women. About 40% of the persons affected by this disease were diagnosed late. Furthermore, it is estimated that about 18,000 people live with HIV and only half of them know about this.