WHO supports efforts to end HIV/AIDS

The roundtable brought together experts from the Ministry of Health, State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance, Public Health and Reforms Center, Ministry of Justice, Country Coordinating Mechanism, UN agencies and NGOs to mark World AIDS Day which is an opportunity to show solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV worldwide and fight against stigma and discrimination.

As a part of the raising awareness campaign, the Republic Center of the Struggle against AIDS joined European Testing Week on 22-29 November and gave people a chance to get tested for HIV freely and anonymously in Baku.

World AIDS Day takes place on 1 December each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.

Globally, there are an estimated 37.9 million people living with HIV at the end of 2018. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

On World AIDS Day 2019, WHO is highlighting the difference these communities are making to end the HIV epidemic while drawing global attention to the need for their broader engagement in strengthening primary health care.