2920 HIV/AIDS Cases Since 1985

The number of those who live with HIV/AIDS has become 376 last year. 892 of the cases are women and 118 of them under eighteen. The Positive Life Association (PYD) advises immediate measures in Turkey where most of the population consists of young people.

Emine Özcan

In the last seven years, the HIV/AIDS cases have reached twice the intitial number. According to the figures of the Ministry of Health, while there were total of 158 HIV cases in 2000, this number rose to 376 in 2007. The total number of the cases since 1985 has become 2920.

The Positive Life Association (PYD) says the number may be ten times more due to the problems in the mechanisms of monitoring and evaluation.

The ages of the three hundred registered cases are not known. There are 118 cases under the age eighteen. 470 of the cases are in the 30-34 age interval. 892 of the 2920 HIV/AIDS cases are women.

The government pays the cost of the HIV/AIDS treatment in Turkey. Thanks to the support that comes from the Global Fund, “HIV/AIDS Prevention and Support Project” could be launched.

By signing the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, Turkey has promised to develop the human rights in the struggle against HIV/AIDS, to reduce the discrimination and stigmatization the people living with HIV endure, and to make sure access to treatment is constantly provided in Turkey.

The problems the PYD lists are:

- Government’s Political Decisions: Neither the government nor the ministry of health has neither a budget nor an institutional structure to fight against the HIV/AIDS. The National AIDS Commission in Turkey does not have a legal binding.

- Discrimination: The HIV patients lose their social securities and are deprived of the health services because of the discrimination that prevails against them.

- HIV Treatment: The psychological support necessary for the acceptance of the infections is usually provided, but the fact that the HIV positive individuals continue enjoying a healthy life if they continue with their treatment is left outside of this.

- General Legal System: There is no law about the HIV in Turkey; the existing general laws keep the rights of the HIV positive individuals within the context of the rights of the patients and the citizens.

- Voluntary Test Centers: The consultancy services both before and after the tests, which are seen necessary by the international organizations, are not provided in Turkey.

- General Health Insurance: The access to treatment is provided by the general health insurance in Turkey. But, insuring the HIV positive individuals and providing them with the necessary access to the treatment usually takes between one to three months.

- Media’s Role: The subjects of the HIV/AIDS and the sexual health are not discussed enough in the media, especially by the television channels. (EZÖ/TB)