The significance of HIV testing must be in the focus of public policies in order for Montenegro to increase the coverage of those tested and the awareness of the general population in terms of preserving reproductive health, representatives of the organizations CAZAS and the HIV Foundation agree, reports
The program director of CAZAS, Sanja Šišović, reminded that Montenegro belongs to the group of countries with a low rate of HIV infection.
"That's good, but it's very important to take those numbers in context with some other numbers, because Montenegro is in the group of countries that have a low rate of HIV testing and condom use," explained Šišović in a statement for the PR Center.
He says that the focus should not only be on numbers, but also on the pattern of behavior and increasing the number of people tested, in order to record all those cases "that escape us".
"HIV can show no symptoms for a long period of time and very often this virus is registered in patients who have already reached the stage of AIDS, and that is why it is necessary to carry out early testing as much as possible", said Šišović.
It is commendable, as she said, that HIV testing is free and anonymous in Montenegro.
When it comes to educating the general public about HIV, she is of the opinion that it can no longer be said that information is not available and that everyone knows how HIV is transmitted.
"What we notice in the field is that often the context of that information is not adequately accepted and there is a lack of behavioral change in accordance with the available information. We have a very low awareness of reproductive health preservation, not only in the case of HIV, but also of other sexually transmitted diseases. diseases", said Šišović.
He says that it is necessary to do as many campaigns as possible to promote the use of condoms, HIV testing and educate the general public that HIV cannot be transmitted through social contact.
"The stigma surrounding HIV is at a high level, and we are a small country that financially cannot afford to conduct more detailed and comprehensive research that would provide more detailed knowledge about the degree of stigma or discrimination of patients," Šišović pointed out.
The problem, as she pointed out, is the lack of education of medical workers and the lack of information that HIV is being talked about in the world as a chronic disease with which one can live normally.
Šišović said that in recent years, articles in the media can be found in which it is stated that someone has been cured of HIV, that they have a vaccine and the like.
"The fact is that some countries are making great efforts to research preventive treatment strategies, and that's why I have to emphasize that everything we read in the media are experimental stages of treatment and that we still don't have a registered and approved drug for HIV," said Šišović.
The executive director of the HIV Foundation, Boris Vuksanović, said that data on the number of HIV patients for 2022 should be published soon, while according to data from the Institute of Public Health, 2021 people were infected in 201.
"When the data on the number of patients is questionable, we have to take into account that some people are treated abroad, while some refuse treatment", noted Vuksanović.
He believes that about 20 people were infected with HIV last year, which, he said, is not a large number.
Vuksanović noted that all patients receive regular therapy and that there is no shortage of medicines.
"I must mention that out of the total number of patients, more than 95 percent cannot transmit the virus, because with the correct use of therapy, they are only carriers of the virus, but not transmitters," explained Vuksanović.
According to him, the rate of HIV testing in Montenegro is very low, and only about 20 people were tested for the disease on the National Testing Day.
"It's a low testing rate and we need to talk more about this topic so that it becomes an integral part of public health," said Vuksanovic.
He said that if HIV were referred to as the coronavirus, people would be well informed and would more easily accept testing itself.
"HIV is quite stigmatized and associated with a certain population, which is completely wrong, because it should be associated with risky behavior," Vuksanović pointed out.
He noted that the Foundation is the only organization that brings together people with HIV and viral hepatitis.
"We are the only ones in Montenegro who did the "Immeasurable Non-Transportable" campaign, which was also done by the World Health Organization. This year, we also have numerous campaigns, all with the aim of informing the general public and reducing the stigma about HIV and making the daily lives of patients easier," concluded Vuksanović.
Bonus video:
