In the framework of the World HIV/AIDS Day was held a workshop on " HIV/AIDS participatory surveillance, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, civil society engagement".
Civil Society actors engaged in providing care and prevention of HIV/AIDS became part of this workshop realized by UNFPA Albania in cooperation with the Health and Social Protection Ministry and the Institute of Public Health.
The workshop aimed to raise awareness and training of civil society organizations engaged in this field on active participation in the surveillance processes of viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, as well as for the necessary cooperation with official structures and the Institute of Public Health.
Head of UNFPA Albania Office Ms. Manuela Bello, present at the workshop stressed the importance of joining the efforts of all stakeholders, from donors, public authorities, and civil society to increase access to the health system for early diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. "UNFPA remains committed to contributing and working with all stakeholders involved in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS in Albania. Participatory surveillance is a mechanism that enables the collection of data in all possible forms for all categories and age groups of society", said Ms. Bello.
The Director of the Institute of Public Health, Mrs. Eugena Tomini, expressed that delayed diagnoses can only be avoided through increasing voluntary testing and through collaboration between civil society and the healthcare system. "The healthcare system would be strengthened by the integration of activities, monitoring, and reporting with civil society. It plays an extraordinary role in the real-time identification of cases, reported not only by the system but also in the belief of any case that isn’t captured by the monitoring system, both public and non-public healthcare systems," said Mrs.Tomini.
The workshop addressed thematic issues such as:
- Participatory and Collaborative Surveillance
- Digital systems and their role in collaborative surveillance
- Plan of concrete joint and necessary activities
HIV/AIDS has caused 343 deaths in 30 years in Albania and has affected over 1,700 people, more than two-thirds of whom are male and 473 female, 53 children, 163 young people, and 1,500 adults.
