TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY .
by Dr. Diana Tashkova
In Bulgaria, 126 new cases of HIV were diagnosed during a period of 6 months. Overall, people infected with HIV in the country are officially 2169. Importantly, over 53% of the newly registered HIV-positive persons were found in cabinets and mobile clinics that offer free and anonymous testing and counseling.
In this regard, for the twelfth consecutive time the “Prevention and Control of HIV / AIDS Programme” in collaboration with the Ministry of Health organized the national summer campaign. The testing is voluntary and anonymous, which motivates a lot of people to check their status easily and anonymously.
The initiative started on 3th of August and will last until 13th of September. Many medical centers are available to provide free counseling and testing for AIDS. Regional health inspectorates and NGOs throughout the country are involved. In addition, the initiative provides counseling for sexually safe behaviors in order to avoid sexually transmitted infections among Bulgarians and guests of the country.
The medical centers are precisely selected to be in locations with increased tourist flow as seaside resorts, swimming pools and shopping centers and main streets in large and smaller settlements as well as in Roma neighborhoods. From August 3 until August 28, 2015, over 2000 people have so far been tested for AIDS.
HIV testing is offered by medical consultants at the Black Sea, near the pools and water parks in central areas and in the laboratories.
Furthermore, in the spirit of the event for two weeks in the capital, Sofia is hosting the photographic exhibition “Fieldwork teams of Bulgarian non-governmental organizations working on HIV / AIDS among vulnerable groups”.
Traditionally, the purpose of the summer AIDS Campaign is to raise awareness of responsible sexual behavior, condom use and the importance for each person to know the current HIV status as care for his/her own health and the health of the partner.
Solidarity with HIV-AIDS patients, Is it progressing?