TIRANA, Dec 1 /ATA/ – On World AIDS Day on Monday, infectious-disease specialists in Albania stress that prevention, testing and treatment remain crucial to saving lives.
Esmeralda Meta, an infectious-disease physician at Tirana’s “Mother Teresa” University Hospital Centre, said HIV “is not a punishment” and can be successfully treated when diagnosed early and treated consistently.
“It has been one of the major infectious syndromes here for more than three decades. HIV carries significant medical, social and family-level impact,” she said.
Meta noted that the hospital treats patients aged 14 and above, adding that most cases occur among the “active population”.
She said the most important message on this day is encouraging screening among young people and high-risk groups.
“HIV testing in Albania is available everywhere – in hospitals and primary health-care centres. For pregnant women, early treatment and the prevention of transmission are especially important,” she said.
On current trends, Meta said Albania remains broadly aligned with other countries in the region.
“For young people and high-risk groups, screening is essential. There is still no vaccine, so communication with a specialist about pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis is vital,” she said.
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