By 2030, the city of Cluj-Napoca will reach zero cases of HIV infection. The local authorities have signed the Paris Declaration in this regard, adhering to the global network “Fast Track Cities”.
HIV is no longer a deadly disease. Archive
“The global objectives set for 2030 by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Program for HIV/AIDS are that 95% of a country’s citizens know their status, 95% of those diagnosed positively and 95% of those under treatment to have an undetectable viral load” explained for “Adevărul” Mihai Lixandru, president of the Romanian Anti – AIDS (ARAS) Association. And Cluj also enters this counter-chronometer race.
“We will try to increase access to testing in this five-year period so that people know their status, know if they are infected. It’s the first step we’ll take. The tests will be done at the Hospital of Infectious Diseases, and those found positive will follow the treatments there. These are offered through the national HIV/AIDS program and are totally settled ”, Mihai Lixandru said.
Who is to test anti-HIV
Anyone who wants, however, can be tested this analysis is especially recommended for sexually active people who have unprotected sexual contacts with multiple partners. “These people should test at least every six months. Then, those who came into contact with the blood of a person consuming injectable drugs should be tested ”, says President ARAS.
Testing can be done in several ways: through classic laboratory tests or rapid tests, as happens in this period in hospitals in Bucharest. “While classic testing involves intravenous blood collection, fast tests only involve a finger. And in a few minutes the patient receives the result ”explains the procedure Mihai Lixandru. “Laboratory analyzes last longer, around 24 hours.”
If this first test comes out positive, the patient is again tested. “At the Hospital of Infectious Diseases, blood is collected again and another analysis is carried out by which the viral load is established. At the hospital in Cluj, the answer comes within a maximum of seven days. Basically, from the first test to the beginning of the treatment itself in Cluj it takes a week ”. At the same time, blood is also harvested, which is sent to the Cantacuzino Institute, where another confirmation is made.
Can you live with HIV? Specialist: “If you follow the treatment, HIV is no longer a deadly disease”
“If you follow the recommended treatment you can live with HIV until deep old.” explains Mihai Lixandru. “HIV is no longer that Bau-Bau that we were so scared in the past. And that’s because the treatments have evolved. Now, for example, regardless of the stage of the disease, you only have to take only one pill a day. And in a few months the viral load becomes so small that the devices can no longer detect it. At that time, the patient no longer transmits the virus. But the treatment should be followed all your life. Therefore, it is very difficult to die of HIV in 2025 ”.
The treatment is free in the hospitals of infectious diseases and through the national HIV/AIDS program, and the patients have settled analyzes every six months. “In addition to evaluating what HIV infection means and we see if people take their treatment, their entire health is monitored to prevent possible complications.”
Romania benefits from the latest existing treatments, at the same standard as the European Union, but also the rest of the world: “However, there are also new treatments, which have demonstrated their efficiency in clinical studies, which are in the final studies phase and the approvals are to be required to be placed on the market. They are injectable treatments. This means an injection every 2 months or even every 6 months. ”
Why do HIV people do not benefit from disability pension
Any person infected with HIV is entitled to a food allowance, because healthy eating is vital for maintaining immunity. In the case of people infected with HIV but suffering from other conditions, a disability pension can be granted. However, if you only suffer from HIV, you do not get that. It is assumed that today you can lead a normal life, so you are not with disabilities: “With adequate treatment a long and healthy life can lead. The life expectancy of people living with HIV is similar to that of people who are not infected. Moreover, there are studies that show that people living with HIV live longer than people who do not have HIV. Why? Because they have these monitoring more frequently. In their case, any health problem is detected early, not as in the case of others who usually go to the doctor when something hurts. ”
What is now serious, explains Mihai Lixandru, is the fact that many people who are in advanced phases of the disease are diagnosed in Romania: “We are already talking about AIDS. For example, in 2023, out of the 716 cases of illness identified at the country level, (78% men and 22% women) 40% were patients in a very advanced stage of the disease. Basically, they tested very late from the moment of infection. Everything in 2023 we were registered from a number of 18,282 patients 125 deaths ”.
Most sick people identify two years ago are heterosexual. Then there are homosexual people, drug users and newborns. In 2020 we had 7 cases of babies with HIV transmitted by mothers.
The event in Cluj brought together representatives of the local and county administration, of the medical sector and of the civil society. “By this approach, we intend to transform Cluj-Napoca into a city in Romania with zero HIV infections, an ambitious objective that aims not only to prevent a public health problem, but also to create a safer and prosperous living environment.”said Emese Oláh, deputy mayor of Cluj-Napoca, during a press conference.
The accession to the “fast track cities” is an important step for Cluj-Napoca in the global effort to stop the HIV epidemic. “Through this collaboration, the city assumes an increased responsibility in preventing and combating the virus, strengthening partnerships between authorities, medical and civil society. “The implementation of this commitment at local level will lead to the extension of free testing services, improving access to treatment and reducing stigmatization”, It is shown in a statement sent by the City Hall of Cluj Napoca.
