World AIDS Day 2011

The year 2011 marks 30 years of AIDS. In that time, AIDS has claimed more than 25 million lives and more than 60 million people have become infected with HIV. Still, each day, more than 7000 people are newly infected with the virus, including 1000 children. No country has escaped the devastation of this truly global epidemic.

Nevertheless, HIV programmes are now bearing fruit; with global HIV incidence declining, treatment access expanding, and an unparalleled global movement mobilized to demand respect for the dignity and human rights of everyone vulnerable to, and affected by HIV.

This year, December 1 for World AIDS Day is urging people around the world to educate themselves about the reality of HIV/AIDS.

The theme for this year’s observance is “Getting to Zero: Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths”.

The red ribbon is a global symbol of the movement against AIDS. This year, on the occasion of the third edition of the ceremony “Red Ribbon Award”, that already became a tradition for our country, have been awarded persons from state institutions, NGOs, religious sector, private sector which were most involved in the national response to HIV/AIDS and obtained indisputable results.

 This year was decided to change a little the concept of the event and to give up the idea of on-line voting.  Each organization/institution nominated a single candidate mostly involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS during the year 2011 and obtained the best and lasting results. The nominated person should have contributed to reducing of HIV/AIDS epidemic through significant efforts in the organization, worked hard overtime, contributed to positive changes in the lives of people living with HIV, had a creative approach to daily work, created new partnerships, received additional funds for activities, etc.

The candidate has been chosen through joint decision of the members of the institution/organization. In the application was described in details activities in which the candidate has been involved and the results obtained. A special committee evaluated all the applications received and selected 24 winners.

  1. Anna Plosnita   - NGO „Stimul”
  2. Valeria Dmitrienco – National Centre of HIV Prevention and Control
  3. Ion Turcan - NGO „Credinta”  
  4. Maria Avrat - NGO „Regional Centre for Community Policies”
  5. Eugeniu Graur - ONG „Certitudine”
  6. Natalia Mardari - Institute for Human Rights from Moldova
  7. Igor Chilcevschii – League of Persons Living with HIV from the Republic of Moldova
  8. Alina Cojocari - NGO  „Mamele pentru Viata”
  9. Maxim Melenti – Orthodox Parish „Acoperamintul Maicii Domnului”
  10. Radu Tarus – AIDS Foundation EAST-WEST (AFEW)
  11. Alexandr Zavricico - NGO „BIAZ GUL”
  12. Vera Avdeenco - RED Union Fenosa
  13. Tatiana Curbatscaia - NGO „New Life”
  14. Svetlana Moroz – Youth Friendly Health Center „Youth for Youth”
  15. Vitalii Rabinciuc – NGO „Youth for Right to Live”
  16. Veaceslav Mulear – Information Centre „GENDERDOC-M ”
  17. Daniel Rinja - T- North League of Volunteers
  18. Luminiţa Radu - Union of Organizations Operating in the Field of Harm Reduction
  19. Maria Turcan   - NGO „Miloserdie”
  20. Luminiţa Suveică – Health Department from Chisinau Mayor
  21. Eudochia Toncoglaz – Social Centre „Credinta”
  22. Tamara Sandu - Social Centre „Credinta North”, doctor at Centre for Public Health Floresti
  23. Lilia Pascal - Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family
  24. Svetlana Doltu – Departament of Penitentiary Institutions

Also, a special award called “Life Time Award” was given to Ecaterina Rotaru from the National AIDS Centre for long lasting, outstanding involvement and results achieved in the area of HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Moldova. More than 100 persons were present at the event in the Republican Palace.

On the 1st of December a press conference was organized at Ministry of Health with the participation of Andrei Usatii – Ministry of Health, Stefan Gheorghita – Director of the National Centre of HIV Prevention and Control and Silviu Ciobanu – World Health Organisation.

In the biggest shopping centerof the city – MallDova, an awareness action was organized by the active organizations in field of HIV/AIDS like NGO Totul pentru Moldova, World AIDS Campaign, UNAIDS, Y-peer Network UNFPA, AFEW (Dance for life), New life, Regional Center for Community Policies, Mothers for Life, media partner Radio Europa Plus.

NGO Totul pentru Moldova and Radio Europa Plus organized a great concert with local singers like Pasha Parfenii, Ionel Istrati, Adrian Ursu, Serj Kuzenkoff, Catalina Rusu, Katy Rain, Gloria, Dana Marchitan, Mihai Teodor, Natanfor the visitors of the Shopping Centre to draw their attention on the event.

UNAIDS, New Life and League of people living with HIV had a thematic photo exhibition in the hall. New Life, also, presented an exhibition of handmade works made by the prisoners with the selection of the winners by the visitors.

NGO “Mothers for life” who is working with women and children with HIV, their rights to treatment, care and protection distributed informative materials and collected some funds, via boxes fordonations; also they organized master class with children (visitors of the centre): origami, clowns, dances, art make-up for childrenwhile volunteers informed their parents about the World AIDS Day.

Volunteers from Dance4Life and Y-PEER distributed informational materials, condoms and organized contests with questions and those who answered correctly received awards.  People were asked to draw by themselves the red ribbon on the balloons and in the meanwhile they were told about the meaning of the red ribbon.

Also, a number of six trolleybuses were decorated with promotional materials regarding HIV/AIDS problem that is expected to have a big impact on the population. NGO “Totul pentru Moldova” broadcasted on three radio stations thematic jingles on HIV/AIDS.

The purpose of all this actions dedicated to World AIDS Day is to rise awareness regarding this infection and to demonstrate solidarity with people living or affected by HIV.

According to statistics, at November 1st, 2011 in the Republic of Moldova were registered 7014 people infected with HIV, including 2205 in the Eastern part. HIV infection among young people in reproductive age (15-39 years) is 76.3% of the total number. In 84.6% of cases the infection is transmitted through heterosexual mode, in recent years there is an extension of infection in rural population (36.7%).

The spread of HIV/AIDS can be stopped only through an effective response that requires responsibility, information, work and active involvement.