First Deputy Minister of Health, Acting Minister of Health Teymur Musayev addressed the UN General Assembly on HIV / AIDS

A high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on HIV / AIDS was held by video conference on June 8-10. Our country was represented at the event by First Deputy Minister of Health, Acting Minister of Health Teymur Musayev.

 In his speech, Teymur Musayev stressed that Azerbaijan is among the countries with low rates of HIV / AIDS: "However, given the transboundary nature of this infection, this problem remains relevant for our country."

 It was noted that since 2006, the Cabinet of Ministers has been adopting "Measures to Combat HIV / AIDS" every 5 years with the support of UNAIDS / WHO in order to maintain national strategic directions in the fight against HIV. The goal of the Program of Measures is to reduce the spread of HIV in Azerbaijan, prolong the life of people living with HIV and improve their quality of life: ; Prevention of HIV transmission to newborns; aims to reduce HIV-related deaths and prolong the lives of people living with HIV through early detection, treatment, care and assistance. Funds are allocated from the state budget to support state programs, one of which is the "Program to prevent the spread of HIV / AIDS in the Republic of Azerbaijan." The last program ended in December 2020. The program, along with all other sections of the HIV response, provides free ARV therapy, test services, and preventive interventions to key groups. Currently, the next State Program for 2021-2025 is being approved. The program includes measures to achieve targets of 95-95-95, to eliminate stigma and discrimination, as well as to further expand harm reduction programs.

 Touching upon the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all spheres of life, including planned measures to combat HIV, Teymur Musayev said that the strict quarantine regime and other restrictions had a negative impact on achieving the expected 90-90-90 target. There is a positive trend in our country in terms of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and no vertical transmission of HIV has been registered since 2015. Timely decisions have ensured the sustainability and availability of ARV therapy in the severe conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the integration of services in the field of TB / HIV, narcology / HIV services. ”

 At the end of his speech, Teymur Musayev recognized the importance of the gradual implementation of the Concept of the UN "Sustainable Development Goals 2030" in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the importance of combating HIV in health policy, in accordance with the UN Political Declaration on HIV / AIDS. "Azerbaijan is committed to the fight against HIV / AIDS, welcomes the adoption of a new Political Declaration and hopes that the Declaration will be adopted, taking into account the new realities, to achieve the goal of eliminating HIV / AIDS by 2030," he said. will make its contribution, "Teymur Musayev concluded.