The municipal Red Cross organization, in cooperation with the Bijelo Polje Health Center and the Office for Youth, today traditionally marked December 1, the World Day against HIV/AIDS.
An educational lecture on this topic was held by Zorica Đokić, a senior nurse from the HIV Counseling Department at the Health Center, while hygiene specialist Ifeta Erović gave advice to young people on how to protect themselves and others, who they can turn to for help.
President Miloš Kljajević welcomed those present on behalf of the municipal Red Cross, who pointed out that this is a regular activity and that the response of young people is great, which pleases him.
The World Day against HIV/AIDS, which since 1988 at the suggestion of the World Health Organization has been celebrated every year on December 1, is an opportunity for people around the world to unite their efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS, to express their support for people who living with HIV and remembering those who died from AIDS-related diseases and conditions.
This year's campaign takes place under the slogan "Choose the right path: my health, my right".
According to data from the World Health Organization, in 2023, 1,3 million people in the world were infected with HIV, and 630000 people died of AIDS. It is thought that 39,9 million people live with HIV in the world, of which 30.7 million had access to therapy.
The first case of HIV infection in Montenegro was registered in 1989, and since then, excluding the year of the COVID-pandemic when the number of registered cases decreased, the number of newly registered persons has increased every year. According to data from the HIV/AIDS registry, from the beginning of the epidemic in 1989 until the end of 2023, a total of 425 people infected with HIV were registered. During the year 2024 until the end of November, 31 persons infected with HIV were registered, of which a little less than a fifth are persons who have been diagnosed with HIV infection before.
Zorica Đokić, high med. a nurse from the HIV Counseling Center said that there is a difference between an HIV-positive person and a person with AIDS.
"An HIV-positive person is infected with the HIV virus, but this still does not mean that he has AIDS. An HIV-positive person can look completely healthy, be able to work, have offspring and live a long time if he learns about his HIV status in time and starts treatment in time," she pointed out.
The HIV counseling center at the Health Center is open in the afternoon on Mondays and Tuesdays from 14:18 to XNUMX:XNUMX.
"Anyone who is interested in hearing and learning about this topic can come during that time, of course, if they cannot on those days, they can visit the counseling center every working day from 8 a.m. to 14 p.m. The counseling center has been operating for 15 years, for voluntary and anonymous testing and counseling," said Sandra Bojović, PR of the Health Center.
Social worker in the municipal Red Cross, Ivana Bulatović, said that the goal of marking this date is to contribute to informing the public about HIV infection, the availability of antiretroviral treatment, prevention, but also to remind the public of the importance of the existence of stigma and discrimination faced by patients and their families. families.
"Testing for HIV, early detection of the disease and introduction of therapy is of immeasurable importance, both for individual health and public health. Detecting the infection and starting treatment early prevents the development of health complications, improves the quality of life, and extends life expectancy. Today, people not only live with HIV, but also grow old. Stigma and discrimination present significant barriers to testing. Together, we can help change that," said Bulatović.
"The municipal organization of the Red Cross, in cooperation with its partners, will continue in the coming period with activities aimed at reminding the importance of prevention, education and solidarity related to this but also many other important topics. Together we can make a change and build a world without AIDS, where every person has access to the necessary care and support. Our common struggle, filled with empathy and solidarity, is key to overcoming this global challenge," said the municipal Red Cross.
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