Kosovo, 47 people have died as a result of AIDS

It also said that HIV and AIDS continue to be considered a priority issue in public health, at a global level, and that the global pandemic of H IV AIDS has no equal scope in the world.

IKSHPK Executive Director Nasser Ramadani said the National Institute, being Kosovo's top health, professional and scientific institution, in public health, consistently conveys the epidemiological situation with HIV and AIDS and deals with HIV prevention.

The National Institute has already completed two investigations from the HIV/ AIDS: “Mapingu programor and assessment of the size of key populations in Kosovo, 2016”, and “RAE, in connection with HIV infection and AIDS in Kosovo, supported by the Global Fund's projects in Kosovo, while this year it presented fourth research in a row, “Biobistry and behaviors, among those who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, and women sex workers in Kosovo, for 2017 <17x5>, Ramadan said.

Deputy Health Minister Ali Berisha said the Health Ministry will continue to look after -- that HIV and AIDS victims -- to be provided further, antiretroviral therapy, in order to address them inclusively, at the same time increasing diagnostic services, as an important step, in preventing and revealing early HIV and AIDS.

While, it said that the Government of Kosovo during this mandate has increased the focus for health, and that even next year, the budget for this sector, according to him, will be markedly increased.

HIV/ AIDS FG CDF, Edona Deva said the Global HIV Fund programme contributes to implementation of the National Strategic Plan for HIV/ AIDS 2018-2022, has established and empowered basic services for HIV prevention, such as reducing the damage to PDI, basic MSM monitoring packages, HIV testing, methadone holding therapy program, and contributing to the strengthening of HIV-living persons' association, caring for physical treatment, co-ordination of care and support.

She said the grant's goal for 2018-2020 is to keep HIV's low prevalence among the general population and key populations, as well as to improve the quality of life of HIV-infected persons and AIDS in Kosovo.

Head of the HIV Unit. AIDS, Luljet Gashi introduced the situation with HIV in Kosovo, where it reported that Kosovo is classified as a low-scale epidemic country, but with growth potential, especially among the MSM (men who have sex with men).

The first AIDS case in our country was reported in 1986, from this year to 2018 in Kosovo, 119 cases of HIV and AIDS have been reported. Of them 71 are AIDS and 48 with HIV infection. While so far, 47 have died as a result of AIDS”, she said, among other things.

Meanwhile, in honor of this day, on December 1st in the city, educational materials and condoms will be distributed to random citizens.