As of November 1, 2022, 1.8 thousand cases of HIV infection were registered in the Vitebsk region. The dynamics are not bad, emphasized Valentina Ananyeva, Head of the AIDS Prevention Department of the Vitebsk Regional Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health:
- Over the past five years, the region has managed to stabilize the situation with the spread of the process. The prevalence rate in the territory is also relatively low – 124.9 per 100,000 population. The region ranks sixth among all regions of the republic, with only the Grodno region having a better indicator. Another positive trend: for five years, no cases of HIV transmission have been recorded in the region among children born to HIV-positive mothers. The most serious measures are being taken for this, starting from the early stages of a woman's pregnancy and her follow-up after childbirth.
At the same time, there are also alarming aspects, emphasized Valentina Ananyeva. One of them is related to the increase in the sexual route of HIV transmission. For January-October, it accounted for 90.1% of infections. This is concerning, as it affects the entire population as a whole and requires a responsible attitude from everyone towards personal safety and prevention measures.
Every year on December 1, World AIDS Day is celebrated worldwide. Its main goal is to raise public awareness about the possibilities of modern methods of disease prevention and diagnosis, treatment technologies, and ultimately, to reduce the prevalence rate, reminded Vladimir Sinkevich, Chief Physician of the Vitebsk Regional Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health:
- In the Republic of Belarus, work on HIV infection prevention is carried out within the framework of the state program "People's Health and Demographic Security" for 2021-2025. It is worth noting the overall successes achieved in the prevention of this disease. A system has been created in the country that ensures maximum accessibility to counselling and testing for HIV infection. Testing, including anonymous testing, can be done in any healthcare institution with a procedure room. HIV prevention offices and anonymous counselling points operate on the basis of state medical institutions and non-governmental non-profit organizations. Since 2018, universal patient access to antiretroviral therapy has been provided. The production of these drugs has been established in the country.
According to Vladimir Sinkevich, various information and educational events are planned within the framework of the World AIDS Day, which will be held in the format of meetings, campaigns, flash mobs, contests, exhibitions of works, etc. Taking into account the epidemiological situation, significant attention will be paid to preventive measures among the working population and labour migrants.
For reference: annually on December 1, preventive measures are carried out worldwide within the framework of the World Campaign against HIV/AIDS, timed to coincide with World AIDS Day.
World AIDS Day was established in 1988 on the initiative of the World Health Organization and the UN General Assembly. This day has become one of the most important international days related to raising awareness and celebrating achievements in HIV infection prevention and expanding access to treatment. The symbol of the fight against AIDS is a red ribbon, which signifies support, compassion, and hope for a future without AIDS.
World AIDS Day is always dedicated to a specific theme. This year's theme is "Time for Equality". Four decades into the AIDS response, inequalities in access to testing, treatment, new technologies, and scientific data persist in African and Asian countries. The issue of HIV infection spread remains one of the global medical and social challenges faced by all states without exception. It is necessary to further expand access to quality prevention, diagnosis, and treatment methods; support programmes for key and vulnerable populations; and implement measures that contribute to eliminating inequality and eradicating AIDS.
According to the World Health Organization, the global number of people living with HIV in 2021 was 38.4 million, and since the beginning of the epidemic, 40.1 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses.
As of November 1, 2022, more than 24,000 people with HIV-positive status live in Belarus, and 1,379 in the Vitebsk region. Over the past decade, the largest number of new cases has been registered in the 35-49 age group, with sexual transmission being the predominant route of HIV transmission, accounting for over 80% of newly diagnosed cases.
The Republic of Belarus consistently pursues an active policy to counteract the spread of HIV/AIDS. Within the framework of national responses to the spread of HIV infection, the State Programme "People's Health and Demographic Security" for 2021–2025 is being implemented. This programme defines the tasks and ways to achieve UNAIDS' new strategic goal of "95-95-95", including measures to involve all people living with HIV, including those from key populations, in treatment programmes, as well as to maintain and expand evidence-based HIV prevention measures.
A system has been established in our country to ensure maximum accessibility to counselling and testing for HIV infection. Testing, including anonymous testing, can be carried out at any healthcare institution with a procedure room. HIV prevention offices and anonymous counselling centres operate on the basis of state healthcare organisations and non-governmental non-profit organisations, providing counselling and testing services for HIV infection for key populations. HIV testing can be done not only at a healthcare institution but also at home independently by purchasing a test at a pharmacy.
Since 2018, Belarus has provided universal access for patients to antiretroviral therapy, meaning the state guarantees the provision of HIV infection treatment to all people living with HIV, regardless of the stage of the disease or immune status. Currently, 87% of people living with HIV in the republic are receiving antiretroviral therapy, thereby preserving their health and quality of life; in the Vitebsk region, this figure is 85%. Over the past five years, the coverage of HIV-infected patients with treatment has increased 1.8-fold. The country has established the production of antiretroviral drugs, which accounts for 82.1% of all currently prescribed treatment regimens.
Thanks to the coordinated work of state, international, and non-governmental non-profit organisations, a stable trend towards a decrease in the incidence of HIV infection and AIDS, as well as mortality from HIV-related causes, has been formed in the Republic of Belarus. Belarus maintains its status of eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission, and the geography of preventive services for key populations in state healthcare organisations is expanding.
As part of the World AIDS Day, informational and educational events are organised in institutions and organisations. These events will be held in both traditional formats, such as campaigns, talk shows, and presentations, and in modern formats using the internet, flash mobs, contests, and exhibitions of works demonstrating personal attitudes towards the issue and proposals for improving the effectiveness of preventive measures, and preventing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.
Taking into account the epidemiological situation, significant attention will be paid to preventive measures among the working population, including labour migrants, with express saliva testing for HIV.
Join us on this World AIDS Day. The events held will once again draw attention to the seriousness of this problem, convey information on HIV prevention to the public, motivate safe and responsible behaviour, and promote health preservation.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by
