TIRANA, May 1 – The number of people diagnosed with HIV and AIDS is increasing in Albania, with eight cases diagnosed since the beginning of 2023, showing a year-on-year rise.
According to a report from the Institute of Public Health quoted by Euractiv on Monday, the new cases included five men and three women, the majority being in the capital of Tirana. Regarding age, one was in the age group 16-24, three aged between 25-34, one between 35-44 and three over 45.
Doctors have raised concerns that many of the infected with HIV see it progress to AIDS as they do not seek treatment quickly.
“Mostly, they come late. First, they are asymptomatic and then shame prevents them from coming,” said an infectious disease specialist doctor Nevila Kryemadhi.
In 2022, 11 people died of the virus, five of which had been diagnosed within that 12 months.
Currently, there are 780 adults and 12 children being treated for HIV in Albania and in 2022, a total of 80 people were diagnosed with HIV.
Kyremadhi added that in a special centre in Tirana dealing with sexually transmitted diseases, an average of 10 patients a day appear for treatment. /argumentum.al
