World AIDS Day 2024 Slogan: "Securing the Right to Health by Choosing the Right Path"
The head of Kermanshah Province Health Center stated: Every year,
December 1st, coinciding with Azar 10th in the Persian calendar, is
designated as World AIDS Day. On this day, communities unite to
participate in controlling the disease.
Dr. Shakiba, Deputy of Health at the university, in an interview with
the university's public relations office, said: HIV is a controllable
infectious disease.
If diagnosed in time and properly cared for and treated, the infected individual can not only have a normal lifespan but also, with appropriate treatment, the transmission of the disease to others can be reduced to zero.
Dr. Shakiba also mentioned that, unfortunately, a high percentage of infected individuals remain unidentified and unaware of their condition. One of the most important reasons for this is the fear, stigma, and discrimination associated with the disease, which prevents patients from seeking diagnosis, care, and treatment.
A faculty member of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences stated: HIV can be transmitted through blood transfusions and blood products, unprotected sexual contact, and from an infected mother to her child. However, it cannot be transmitted through social interactions or daily contact with infected individuals, such as traveling together, being classmates, sitting next to each other, or through normal social interactions like riding buses and taxis, using public telephones, eating, drinking, or using shared utensils, dishes, tears, saliva, through the air (sneezing and coughing), or insect bites.
According to him, the only way to diagnose HIV is through a blood test. This test is performed confidentially and free of charge by trained counselors in behavioral disease counseling centers, harm reduction service centers, all comprehensive health service centers, and health posts.
Dr. Shakiba stated that a very important point to mention is that if pregnant mothers infected with HIV are identified and receive proper and timely care and treatment, they can give birth to healthy children. Treatment has been introduced as the main method of preventing disease transmission in HIV control.
The university's Deputy of Health said: To achieve effective treatment, infected individuals must be identified and have access to treatment services and continue treatment for life so that with effective treatment, the number of viruses in their blood is reduced to such an extent that, while ensuring their own health, the possibility of disease transmission becomes zero.
He continued: Fortunately, despite all the restrictions and sanctions, through great efforts, medications are procured and provided free of charge and confidentially in behavioral disease counseling centers along with other useful services to people living with HIV and those who have high-risk behaviors.
Dr. Shakiba concluded by informing the dear people of the province that behavioral disease counseling centers in Kermanshah province are ready to provide services to the public regarding education, diagnosis, care, treatment, etc., and the addresses of these centers are as follows:
Behavioral Disease Counseling Center No. 1: Kermanshah - Fatemieh Square - End of Doctors Street - Phone: 37244937-37244938
Behavioral Disease Counseling Center No. 2: Kermanshah - Ta'avon - Next to Vahdat Comprehensive Health Service Center - Phone: 34291037
Harsin Counseling Center - Harsin Martyrs Hospital - Phone: 45125003