World AIDS Day, celebrated since 1988, was the first global day to highlight the health issue.
Today, 01 December is an opportunity to remind people around the world that the problem of HIV infection is still present, to encourage people to take an HIV test and to stress that prevention is the most important element in the fight against the epidemic. It is estimated that less than one in ten Poles has taken an HIV test. The test can be done anonymously, free of charge and without a referral at one of the Consultation and Diagnostic Points. Addresses can be found on: https://aids.gov.pl/pkd/
The year 2022 is already a record year in terms of the number of newly diagnosed HIV infections. By 15 November, their number had reached 1998. This is more than 20% more than in 2019 and as many as 70% more than in 2021. Still, many of us are living with HIV without knowing it. It is estimated that less than one in ten Poles have tested for the virus. During this year's European Testing Week, shortly before World AIDS Day on 1 December, a red bow with the inscription "Together against HIV" was displayed on the streets of Krakow, Warsaw, Poznan, Gdansk and Gdynia, as well as posters encouraging people to visit counselling and diagnostic centres. The campaign was implemented by the Polish Humanitarian Aid Foundation "Res Humanae" and Gilead Sciences.