site.btaBulgarian Red Cross, Sofia Regional Health Inspectorate Organize Free Testing, Consultations on World AIDS Day

The Bulgarian Red Cross and the Sofia Regional Health Inspectorate (RHI) are organizing a series of events on the occasion of World AIDS Day, observed on December 1. 

The Sofia branch of the Bulgarian Red Cross organizes a campaign on prevention of high-risk sexual behavior through workshops, challenges, distribution of information materials, the organization said. 

At 5:30 p.m. on Sofia's Lovers' Bridge, volunteers from the Bulgarian Youth Red Cross (BYRC) - Sofia will make the traditional candlelight ribbon as a sign of sympathy with the victims and carriers of the disease.

The Sofia RHI is organizing anonymous and free HIV/AIDS testing, said the RHI. The testing will be in front of the National Palace of Culture from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm and in The Mall - level 2, in the space in front of the store of a large food chain, with working hours from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Experts will inform, advise and explain specific aspects of HIV and AIDS. The initiative is part of the national anti-AIDS campaign under the slogan "Pass it on - the knowledge, not the virus".

World AIDS Day has been marked since 1988 on the initiative of the World Health Organization, approved by UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/43/15 of October 27, 1988, to inform the international community about the spread of the disease, ways to treat and prevent it, and to encourage the exchange of information among the world's scientific and medical communities about their experiences in fighting the disease. 

Globally, about 38 million people are living with HIV. More than 35 million people have died from HIV or AIDS-related illnesses in the past 40 years, making it one of the worst pandemics in history.