Macedonia registers 39 HIV cases in 2017

Thirty-nine new HIV cases have been registered in Macedonia over the course of 2017, four of them living with the disease and 35 HIV positive. Most of those diagnosed are male who have contracted the disease while engaging in sexual activity with members of the same sex.

In the upcoming period the government is committed to support the measures for preventing HIV infection, being financed thus far by the Global Fund, Deputy Health Minister Goce Cakarovski told a press conference on Friday, organized in honor of the World AIDS Day.

‘The Ministry of Health has provided MKD 27 million for HIV/AIDS prevention for 2017, while the amount for the next year is tripled, set at MKD 35 million. About MKD 40 million is sigled out for out to cover the antiretroviral therapy, while the rest is inteded for prevention activities of the health care instutitons and our partners – the civic associations,’ Cakarovski said.

The citizens of Macedonia have an opportunity to undergo HIV test at fortheen instutions across the country, representative of the Public Health Institute Zarko Karadzovski said.

A total of 204 patients are subject to continual control and monitoring at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, and 96 percent of them are covered by the antiretroviral therapy’, Director Milena Stevanocic said.

December 1 is recognized globally as World AIDS Day. The World Health Organization (WHO) established the annual observance in 1988 as a way to offer the chance for people to unite to fight against the HIV/AIDS stigma, commemorate those who have lost the battle with AIDS, and also show support for those who are living with the disease.

To complement this year global World AIDS Day campaign, which promotes the theme ‘Right to Health’, the World Health Organization (WHO) will highlight the need for all 36.7 million people living with HIV and those who are vulnerable and affected by the epidemic, to reach the goal of universal health coverage.

Under the slogan ‘Everybody Counts’, WHO will advocate for access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines, including medicines, diagnostics and other health commodities as well as health care services for all people in need, while also ensuring that they are protected against financial risks.