State District Sanitary Inspector in Bolesławiec:

On December 1, we observe World AIDS Day. At the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), since 1988 December 1 has been officially observed as World AIDS Day. The purpose of this observance is to enable governmental, nongovernmental and local organizations, as well as individuals, to draw attention to the fight against AIDS. It also aims to raise awareness of the need to help people infected with HIV and living with AIDS, as well as their families and loved ones.

An inseparable part of World AIDS Day observances is the red ribbon—a symbol of solidarity with people living with HIV, people with AIDS and their loved ones. The presence of the ribbon in the public sphere reminds us that people living with HIV are full members of society and should be able to live and work in their communities, while also remembering the duty to protect others from infection.

And adds:

Limiting the spread of HIV/AIDS is one of the priority public-health issues in Poland and around the world. The introduction of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment led to a decline in the number of AIDS cases and AIDS-related deaths in developed countries.

Uniform and integrated ARV treatment for all regions of Poland has been provided since 2001 as part of the Minister of Health's health-policy program entitled “Antiretroviral Treatment of People Living with HIV in Poland.” The program complies with international recommendations and commitments undertaken at the global and regional levels. Over these years, Poland has managed to organize a model system of care for patients infected with HIV and people with AIDS, which is cited as an example in many countries.

And adds:

During this time, thanks to the use of new medicines, the nature of the disease changed: it went from being fatal to being chronic. The profile of people who become infected has also changed. We no longer speak of specific groups that become infected with HIV, but of risky behaviors that expose people to infection. This means that anyone who takes such risks can become infected.

How many people are infected?

Inspector: – Nearly 37 million people infected with HIV live around the world. Thirty years after the first infection was detected in Poland, it is estimated that as many as 35,000 people are living with HIV, and nearly one in two does not know it and may unknowingly infect others.

How many victims?

According to data from the National Institute of Public Health–National Institute of Hygiene, from the introduction of testing in 1985 through December 31, 2021, HIV infection was diagnosed in 27,552 Polish citizens and people of other nationalities residing in Poland. A total of 3,868 AIDS cases were recorded; 1,448 patients died.

Bolesławiec District Sanitary Inspector sums up:

HIV infection no longer poses an immediate threat to life. Thanks to antiretroviral treatment and rapid detection of the virus in the body, people can live for many years, until natural death.