Miory Regional Executive Committee
During the event, inspectors of the State Automobile Inspectorate of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee and specialists from the Department for the Prevention of HIV Infection and Parenteral Viral Hepatitis of the Vitebsk Regional Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health distributed reflective elements, self-testing kits for HIV, and informational materials on HIV infection prevention to road users.
– On the eve of HIV Infection Prevention Day, which is observed on December 1, such events are being held in all regional centers and the city of Molodechno by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Republican Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology, – explained Valentina Ananyeva, head of the Department for the Prevention of HIV Infection and Parenteral Viral Hepatitis at the regional center for hygiene, epidemiology and public health. – The main goal is to inform the public, encourage safer behavior, promote knowledge of one’s HIV status, and, naturally, foster a healthy lifestyle.
... Employees of the State Automobile Inspectorate of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Police Major Yulia Kaminskaya, Senior Lieutenant Nikita Semenkow, and Senior Lieutenant Maria Fedosova, stop road users selectively. They invite them to take part in the campaign and answer questions from specialists. It turns out that some drivers are mistaken in believing that young people are more susceptible to HIV infection. Medical statistics indicate that this disease is more frequently diagnosed among people aged 30 to 49. Many of those surveyed are well informed about precautionary measures and modes of transmission. Participants in the campaign are given souvenirs, self-testing kits for HIV, informational materials, and reflective patches.
Testing using the offered kit (which, by the way, can also be purchased at a pharmacy), explains Valentina Ananyeva, provides an approximate result to help assess one's risk of infection if there are any concerns. Subsequently, in the event of a positive result, further examination by specialists is required. A final diagnosis can only be established following blood testing.
As for the HIV situation, the specialist notes that we can speak of a certain stabilization of the process.
The situation in our region is one of the most favorable. From 1990 to November 1, 2025, 2,130 cases of HIV infection have been registered in the Vitebsk Region; 1,533 people are living with HIV. During the first 10 months of the current year, 78 new cases of HIV infection were identified. The epidemic process involves all age groups of the population; however, the majority of citizens newly diagnosed with HIV infection in 2025 fall within the 30–59 age group (79.4 %). Throughout the entire period of observation, the primary mode of transmission has been sexual – 84 %. During the first 10 months of 2025, sexual transmission accounted for 89.7 % of cases.
“The motto for this year’s HIV Prevention Day, ‘Overcoming Difficulties, Changing Strategy’, calls for preserving the achievements of previous years in combating the spread of this disease,” says Valentina Ananieva. “Our task is to maximize the early detection of HIV infection. In such cases, strict adherence to prescribed treatment, compliance with the regimen recommended by a physician, and regular medical supervision lead to a reduction of the viral load to an undetectable level. In addition to improving the patient’s quality of life, an important aspect is prevention. Although there is no complete cure, the viral count decreases to such a level that the individual ceases to be a source of infection.”
Testing and treatment for HIV are available free of charge. However, the key remaining challenge is ensuring adherence to timely treatment, which will make it possible to live a normal life with this serious infection, comparable to other chronic diseases, until old age.
vitebsk-region.gov.by