Serbia marks World AIDS Day

More than 30 million people worldwide live with the HIV, while almost the same number have died from AIDS, the disease caused by the virus. In Serbia, some 2,000 people are infected with the HIV virus, with 50 new cases registered this year. Serbia marks World AIDS Day Unlike in previous years when men were the majority in the risk population, today women comprise one fourth of this group. December 1 is marked globally as World AIDS Day, aimed at demonstrating solidarity with those affected by the disease and their families. He assumes that he contracted the virus via an infected needle, while being a heroin user. Unlike many other, he has never hidden his illness and has had the support of his family since the very beginning. Radojcic thinks that AIDS education is essential, but says that even those who are most acquainted with the illness are acting out against the HIV positive people. “The man who performed an operation on my teeth had no problem whatsoever, while the woman who was supposed to fix my teeth had that irrational fear, which she admitted to me. I understand it, but what she said to me was that she never worked with gloves – she wasn’t used to working with gloves,” he says. Those infected with the virus are not the only ones that suffer prejudice – members of their families are also being discriminated against for no reason, Radojcic claims. "My little girl, who is now in school, had to submit an AIDS test each three months while she was still in kindergarten. That’s very difficult, to submit a child to blood tests so often,” he said. "It’s simply something that makes me feel angry – this irrational fear of other parents who have tried and are still trying today from time to time to pressure,” Radojcic said. Meanwhile, Nenad Petkovic from Belgrade’s Human Rights Center says that it’s necessary to adopt a general anti-discrimination law. He told B92 about the ways the HIV positive persons can fight for their rights. "The thing that can help, when it comes to discriminatory behavior of their surroundings, is to go to NGOs. Also, certain institutions, such as the Ombudsman have been established on the state level,” Petkovic said. "The state is trying to get involved in different ways in protecting the ill. Mostly, it amounts to campaigns and reactions, when discrimination occurs,” Petkovic added. JAZAS (The Yugoslav Youth Association Against AIDS) has been organizing street campaigns in Belgrade each December 1, for more than a decade. Free HIV testing and medical counseling is organized by Belgrade’s Student’s Polyclinic today from 10:00 - 17:00 CET and from 20:00 CET until midnight. The AIDS ribbon (Beta)

Serbia marks World AIDS Day

Unlike in previous years when men were the majority in the risk population, today women comprise one fourth of this group.

December 1 is marked globally as World AIDS Day, aimed at demonstrating solidarity with those affected by the disease and their families.

He assumes that he contracted the virus via an infected needle, while being a heroin user.

Unlike many other, he has never hidden his illness and has had the support of his family since the very beginning.

Radojčić thinks that AIDS education is essential, but says that even those who are most acquainted with the illness are acting out against the HIV positive people.

“The man who performed an operation on my teeth had no problem whatsoever, while the woman who was supposed to fix my teeth had that irrational fear, which she admitted to me. I understand it, but what she said to me was that she never worked with gloves – she wasn’t used to working with gloves,” he says.

Those infected with the virus are not the only ones that suffer prejudice – members of their families are also being discriminated against for no reason, Radojčić claims.

"My little girl, who is now in school, had to submit an AIDS test each three months while she was still in kindergarten. That’s very difficult, to submit a child to blood tests so often,” he said.

"It’s simply something that makes me feel angry – this irrational fear of other parents who have tried and are still trying today from time to time to pressure,” Radojčić said.

Meanwhile, Nenad Petković from Belgrade’s Human Rights Center says that it’s necessary to adopt a general anti-discrimination law.

He told B92 about the ways the HIV positive persons can fight for their rights.

"The thing that can help, when it comes to discriminatory behavior of their surroundings, is to go to NGOs. Also, certain institutions, such as the Ombudsman have been established on the state level,” Petković said.

"The state is trying to get involved in different ways in protecting the ill. Mostly, it amounts to campaigns and reactions, when discrimination occurs,” Petković added.

JAZAS (The Yugoslav Youth Association Against AIDS) has been organizing street campaigns in Belgrade each December 1, for more than a decade.

Free HIV testing and medical counseling is organized by Belgrade’s Student’s Polyclinic today from 10:00 - 17:00 CET and from 20:00 CET until midnight.