World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1 every year. It is an opportunity for people around the world to support those affected and to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and it is also an opportunity to remember all those who have sadly died from AIDS-related diseases. So far, 35 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses, making this pandemic one of the most devastating in human history.
It is estimated that 38 million people are currently living with the HIV virus. Today, great progress has been made in the treatment of HIV and in understanding the routes of transmission, which allows us to better protect against the spread of the virus. Despite this, many people still do not know the ways to protect themselves from the virus, so we use this opportunity to appeal to our citizens to inform themselves about the ways of virus transmission and the possibilities of protection!
Like numerous other diseases, the HIV virus most often affects the most vulnerable and socially marginalized groups, which are unfortunately subject to stigmatization and discrimination. It is necessary to make efforts to prevent the spread of the HIV virus, and to prevent discrimination and stigmatization of patients. We can all contribute to the fight against HIV, with very little effort. It is enough to protect ourselves, and to respect and support the sick, and not to discriminate against them.
The Association Partnership for Health, together with numerous partners from the governmental and non-governmental sectors, works to prevent the spread of HIV, and to improve the treatment and care of people living with HIV. As part of the campaign to mark 1 December – World AIDS Day, Partnership for Health, under the auspices of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and in cooperation with the Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Srpska, the Institute for Public Health of the FBiH, Lenis farmacevtika doo, Medicopharmacia doo, the Association of Infectious Diseases in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Association of Medical Students in Bosnia and Herzegovina – BoHeMSA organizes free testing for HIV and hepatitis B and C at several locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 1/12/2025 year.
In addition to free and anonymous counseling and testing, citizens can also receive educational material, which offers information on ways of transmission and protection against the virus.
The locations where testing will take place are as follows:
- Sarajevo – Importanne Center in the period from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; KCUS – Clinic for infectious diseases
- Banja Luka – UKC RS – Clinic for Infectious Diseases; JZU Institute of Public Health RS
- Mostar – TC Mepas in the period from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; SKB Mostar – Clinic for Infectious Diseases; KB “Dr. Safet Mujić”; Institute of Public Health HNK
- Tuzla – Shopping center Omega
- Zenica – Zenica Cantonal Hospital – Department of Infectious Diseases
- Bihać – Shopping center Bingo, Bihać in the period 10-13h
- Zvornik – Hospital Zvornik
- Doboj – “Holy Apostle Luke” Hospital
- Bijeljina – Hospital “Sveti vračevi”
- Prijedor – Hospital “Dr. Mladen Stojanović”
- Trebinje – Trebinje Hospital
- Travnik – Travnik Cantonal Hospital
- Livno – Institute of Public Health
