Every year, on the third Sunday of May, we remember the people who lost their lives to this disease. In the Republic of Moldova, over 15,000 people are living with HIV. To reduce mortality, volunteers from the Youth-Friendly Health Center distribute encouraging messages and encourage their peers to get tested.
Despite his HIV infection, Adrian Berdaga was able to start a family and recently became a father. Initially, it was difficult for him to accept the fact of his virus, but over time, he made peace with this thought. However, the most important thing for him is that he can continue to live.
“My victory lies in the fact that I stand here before you, able to communicate with you and with everyone. This is the life I have been given. I have been married for a year, my wife is HIV-negative, I am HIV-positive. We have no problems in our family, I am accepted, and I am happy,” he said.
According to experts, a quarter of people living with HIV in Moldova feel stigmatized and discriminated against.
Yuri Climasevski, the coordinator of the National HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Program, believes that “we should be tolerant towards each other. All patients are equal, and all patients should receive necessary medical examinations. Everyone should know their HIV status.”
The Youth-Friendly Health Center in the Chokana medical sector honored the memory of people who died from HIV/AIDS.
“As medical workers, we undergo preventive testing at least once a year because the first thing is knowing your status, and the second is the opportunity to prevent and be confident in your life.”
