Vending machines will be placed in public health facilities in the municipality of Chisinau. These will distribute goods and accessories for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and of sexually transmitted diseases. A draft decision to this effect was approved by the Chisinau Municipal Council, IPN reports.

The machines will be installed in family doctors centers in Chisinau and at the Municipal Clinical Ftiziopneumology Hospital.

In the Council’s meeting, Marina Buga, deputy head of the General Medical and Social Assistance Division, said the decision was drafted to meet the Municipal Program for the Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases for 2022-2025.

The program includes information and communication activities aimed at promoting concrete knowledge and safe behaviors to prevent HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, especially among young people. Access will be ensured to voluntary testing services and confidential counseling for HIV and other infections. Coverage with HIV/AIDS dermatovenerologic and testing services will be ensured.

The measures stipulated in the plan are intended for the residents of the municipality of Chisinau, primarily adolescents, young people and persons from vulnerable groups.

“The major goal is to combine forces at the local level for strengthening the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Moldova, with emphasis on HIV prevention activities, access to HIV prevention and testing promotion products, including in the context of the pandemic crisis caused by COVID-19,” says the draft decision.

According to the National Public Health Agency, over 15,000 cases of HIV were recorded in Moldova by January 1, 2022. A number of 753 new cases were logged in the first ten months of this year.