The World AIDS Campaign has demonstrated international solidarity in the fight against the HIV epidemic for more than 30 years:
In accordance with the decision of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN General Assembly in 1988, December 1 was proclaimed World AIDS Day. Over the years, in many countries around the world, the day has become a significant date, indicating the relevance of the topic at the present stage, achievements in the field of prevention and treatment of HIV infection.

The problem of the spread of HIV infection remains the same
of the global medical and social challenges faced by all states without exception. Globally, inequalities continue to exist in the availability of tests, medicines, new technologies and scientific data in individual countries in Africa and Asia. According to statistics, the rate of spread of HIV infection in some countries remains at a fairly high level, and this is partly due to the lack of awareness of the population about the methods of its transmission and incorrect assessment of personal risks. The lack of information about the disease and measures to prevent it gives rise to a huge number of myths
and unfounded fears, and people living with HIV infection are subject to social stigmatization. It is important to remember that HIV
It is not transmitted through household contact or airborne droplets.

According to WHO global statistics, there are more than
39 million people are infected with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Over the years of the epidemic, more than 40 million people have died from diseases associated with HIV infections.

More than 24 thousand people live in the Republic of Belarus with a diagnosis of HIV infection. Over the past 5 years, about 2 thousand new cases of HIV infection are registered annually in the country. The largest number of new cases are registered among men and women aged 30 to 49 years; sexual transmission of HIV predominates, accounting for more than 80% of all registered cases. Today, our country has ensured universal access for patients with HIV infection to antiretroviral therapy, which has increased the life expectancy and improved the quality of life of people living with HIV. In addition to its therapeutic properties, antiretroviral therapy also has a preventive effect: patients who maintain an undetectable viral load do not transmit HIV to their sexual partners.

In the Minsk region, as well as in the republic as a whole, a system has been created that ensures maximum accessibility to counseling and testing for HIV infection. You can undergo testing, including anonymous testing, at any health care facility that has a treatment room. About 20% of the region's population is tested for HIV infection annually. Of the epidemiologically significant age group of 30-49 years, every third resident of the region is tested.

As of November 1, 2023, 4,130 people living with HIV live in the Minsk region. In recent years, about 300 newly registered cases of HIV infection have been identified annually. All age groups of the population are involved in the epidemic process, however, HIV infection is increasingly being registered among the population over 30 years of age - 92.5% of cases. In the general structure of HIV-positive persons for 10 months of 2023, the share of the male population is 59.8%, according to cumulative data (from 1989 to 11/01/2023) - 60.3%. Currently, in the Minsk region the spread
HIV infection occurs through sexual contact, the proportion of which is almost 76%. However, the share of the parenteral route of infection remains one of the highest among the regions of the republic and amounts to 20.1%. As of November 1, 2023, 96.4% of people living with HIV receive antiretroviral therapy in health care organizations in the Minsk region.

The Republic of Belarus has consistently pursued an active policy in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS. As part of the national response to the spread of HIV infection, the State Program “People’s Health and Demographic Security” is being implemented, which defines activities, including measures to involve all people living with HIV in treatment programs, including from key populations, the most vulnerable regarding HIV infection. To reduce the spread of HIV in high-risk groups, special prevention programs with proven effectiveness are being implemented in Belarus: opioid substitution therapy, needle and syringe exchange programs, HIV counseling and testing, social support for inclusion in the HIV medical care system. Prevention programs are implemented on the basis of government health organizations and non-governmental non-profit HIV service organizations.

In order to prevent HIV infection among injection drug users (hereinafter referred to as IDUs) in the Minsk region, rooms for the prevention of HIV infection and parenteral viral hepatitis operate on the basis of 6 state health organizations, as well as within the framework of the implementation of the state social order in 5 administrative territories by the Belarusian public association " Positive Movement" project "Mobile counseling and testing point" is being implemented. Over the first 9 months of 2023, HIV prevention activities covered 96.2% of the estimated number of IDUs.

Based on an understanding of the relevance of pressing issues, people affected by the HIV epidemic and belonging to high-risk groups represent their interests in the public health system, build trust, and introduce innovation. Communities are leading World AIDS Day around the world, organizing events and making compelling calls to address their vital concerns. Photos and videos shared by groups on social media will provide a kaleidoscope of events, inspiration of determination and hope, and concrete calls to action on the ground.

This year, World AIDS Day is celebrated under the theme “Leadership to Communities”. The slogan “Leadership to Communities” will be heard not only on December 1st. On the eve of World AIDS Day, awareness-raising events (promotions, flash mobs, talk shows, exhibitions, competitions) aimed at drawing attention to the problem of HIV infection will be held in all regions of the Republic of Belarus. These events will be attended by specialists from healthcare institutions, education and other departments, representatives of non-governmental non-profit organizations and volunteers.

Thanks to the coordinated work of state, international and non-governmental non-profit organizations
In the Republic of Belarus, a steady trend towards a decrease in the incidence of HIV infection, as well as mortality from HIV-related causes, has formed. All organizations will be able to provide even greater impetus to the global HIV response.

HIV Prevention Department

and parenteral viral hepatitis of the state institution "Minsk Regional Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health"

Tel. 271-63-26, 379-65-77