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World AIDS Day: 1,586 HIV patients in Armenia

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  • World AIDS Day: 1,586 HIV patients in Armenia

    World AIDS Day: 1,586 HIV patients in Armenia

    12:11 - 01.12.13

    December 1 is World AIDS Day.


    Overall, 1,586 HIV cases have been recorded in Armenia since 1988,
    with 228 cases last year and 205 this year, Armenia's National Center
    for AIDS Prevention reports.

    30-year-old Marine, who is working with HIV patients helping them to
    overcome problems, has an HIV status. She knew about her state when
    she got married in 2004 and visited a doctor in the third month of
    pregnancy.

    `My husband infected me. He knew about being infected only after
    knowing about my state. After I knew about it, I had a psychological
    shock and wanted to commit suicide,' she says.

    Marine also spoke of treatment. She says that the treatment and
    necessary medicines are free.

    The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria is working in
    Armenia and will continue its activities until 2015. If the government
    fails to fund further treatment of HIV patients from 2015 on, they
    will face a most serious problem.

    `The medicines are very expensive. Most of the HIV patients are
    socially vulnerable. They can hardly make both ends meet,' Marine
    says.

    Elina Azatyan, Chairwoman of the Real World, Real People NGO - which
    aims at improving HIV patients' living standards - told Tert.am that
    people avoid being examined for AIDS.

    `We are trying to suggest to people that they need regular medical
    examination and should not be ashamed of it. Public awareness has
    recently been raised. People are unaware of the importance of medical
    examination, but they still do not turn to doctors,' she said.

    Ms Azatyan points out the problem of raising awareness in Armenia's
    regions. People prefer turning to doctors from Yerevan.

    `In this case they are sure of secrecy,' she said.


    Armenian News - Tert.am

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