Moldova joins the UequalsU Campaign

The Moldovan association "Inițiativa Pozitivă" ("The Positive Initiative") joined the campaign "Undetectable is Untransmittable" (U=U, UequalsU): "Because we believe that HIV is not a death sentence and the more people will know about it, the less people will suffer".

"The U=U campaign is a great opportunity to reduce stigma and discrimination. People should understand that hiv-positive persons who achieved adherence to ART are just like everyone else", said Ruslan Poverga, "Inițiativa Pozitivă" CEO.

"Undetectable = Untransmittable" campaign is a global initiative supported by a significant number of leading scientists and professional organizations. Russian-language campaign is organized by Life4me+.

A groundswell of research confirms that when a person living with HIV is on effective treatment, it will reduce the level of HIV to "undetectable" levels which protects their health and makes them incapable of transmitting HIV to their sexual partners, or what is called "Undetectable = Untransmittable: U=U". However very few people, except the experts, are aware about it in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region. The first Russian-language campaign "U=U" aims to inform as many people as possible.

"We’re thrilled about the launch of the UequalsU campaign for Eastern Europe and Central Asia region. It is very important to educate about HIV and fight HIV stigma especially in countries where transmissions continue to grow. This is an important step to ensure Russian speaking people living with HIV, healthcare providers and policymakers can get accurate information about how treatment keeps people with HIV healthy and stops new transmissions. This goes a long way toward eliminating the HIV stigma which has been one of the greatest challenges to ending the epidemic," said Bruce Richman, the founder and executive director of the Global U=U Campaign.

Within the framework of the campaign, regional professional organizations will join the Consensus Statement.