Four in ten persons who live with HIV report discriminatory treatment, mainly in the form of insults and gossip. About 12,000 cases of HIV infection were officially recorded in Moldova at the start of this year. Most of the infected persons are of reproductive age, shows a national study that was presented in a public event, IPN reports.

Self-stigmatization in the form of acceptance of blame, feelings of shame, lowering of self-esteem and suicide tendencies are among the problems faced by HIV-infected persons most often. According to secretary of state at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection Aliona Serbulenko, discrimination and stigmatization are still present in society. She called on the population to be tolerant and become involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS and to have the HIV test as, knowing the HIV status and starting the treatment if the test is positive, help protect the person and those around.

Currently, 62 consultative offices provide free consultancy and testing services. At the family doctor, everyone can have a free test confidentially and swiftly. Four social centers that provide assistance and protection to persons with HIV/AIDS were opened in Chisinau, Balti, Comrat and Tiraspol. The test is based on capillary blood sampling.

A social campaign entitled “It concerns you! It concerns everyone!” is carried out in Moldova under the slogan “Know your HIV status” during November 25 - December 10 this year. The campaign includes information and communication activities in all the country’s districts, in the mass media and online media. Conditions for free, confidential and safe testing will be created in public places in most of the country’s localities in the period.