The slogan "Equalize" is a call to action. It is an exhortation for all of us to work for the proven practical actions that will lead to ending AIDS. WHO and UNAIDS call on leaders and citizens to recognize and boldly address the inequalities that impede this progress, and to equalize ("Equalize") access to essential HIV services for all, free of discrimination.
In Cyprus, the Cyprus Addiction Treatment Authority (CTA) has set the prevention of infectious diseases among drug users as a priority within the National Strategy for Addiction Treatment 2021-2028. Based on data from the Monitoring Department/ECTEPN of the AAEC, of the 271 people reported to have injected drugs at least once in their lives in 2021, only 72 have been tested for communicable diseases, while 48% of injectors tested were diagnosed positive for Hepatitis C and 8 people were diagnosed positive for HIV.
The measures promoted by the AAC that aim to prevent the transmission of HIV and other infectious diseases are the provision of harm reduction boxes, which include, among others, sterile syringes, through automatic machines, the provision of rapid diagnostic tests for Hepatitis B C and HIV in treatment settings to increase the number of people diagnosed and linked to treatment, and the promotion of harm reduction measures through the 'Care Zone' mobile unit, with a nationwide reach.
With these actions, the President and the Board of Directors renew AAC's commitment to the fight against HIV, while promoting equitable access to AIDS testing and treatment.
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