VivaCell-MTS and Mission East Humanitarian Aid Organization's Armenian Branch have joined efforts in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.
The number of registered HIV/AIDS cases in Armenia increases every year. According to the official statistics, the number of cases, registered since 1988, has reached 2481. The estimated number, however, stands at 3600. This is conditioned by the fact that people avoid visiting health care facilities for testing.
Aiming at the prevention of HIV/AIDS, the project Support to the National Programme on the Response to HIV Epidemic in Armenia” is implemented in the framework of the Global Fund grant. The programme is coordinated by Mission East Armenia Humanitarian Aid Organization (HAO) Armenian Branch through 4 sub-recipient civil society organizations’ projects. Since 2016 VivaCell-MTS, the leading telecommunications operator in Armenia has joined the programme, bringing an exemplary social responsibility approach. The financial support provided by the Company will be used for the implementation of the programme’s objectives.
The activities of the programme include increasing HIV/AIDS awareness of target groups, distribution of preventive measures, voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV aimed at early detection of HIV cases, as well as provision of care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS.
All the services provided in the framework of the program are free of charge for the citizens of Armenia, and confidentiality is guaranteed by the law.
"There is no 'mine' and 'yours' about HIV. The problem is a common one. The programme encourages taking responsibility for one's own, the loved ones’ and others’ health, and, as a first step, getting tested for HIV. Tolerant attitude towards people living with the disease is also very important," said Armen Bezhanyan, Country Director of Mission East HAO Armenian Branch.
