YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 8, ARMENPRESS: As of January 31, 382 cases of HIV/AIDS were registered in Armenia since 1988 when the first case was reported, 363 of them were Armenian citizens. Last year alone 78 new cases of HIV were registered, 75 of them were Armenian citizens. 108 of them, including 18 women and four children were diagnosed with AIDS. Since 1988 79 people with HIV and AIDS died, including 13 women and 2 children.
The HIV/AIDS situation assessment by independent experts, however, has shown that the estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS is about 2,400-2,800. The economic crisis, unemployment, labor migration and the rapid growth of HIV rates in the region contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS in Armenia.
The majority of HIV/AIDS carriers , 78 percent- are men in their 20s and 30s. Most infection comes about through the intravenous injection of drugs – 53.6 percent – and through heterosexual contacts – 38.2 percent. Those who were infected by drug injection were all men, some of whom had worked or studied in Russia and Ukraine. Twenty people have been receiving anti-retrovirus treatment . The medicine was brought to Armenia thanks to a $7.2 million grant donated to Armenia by the Global Fund to Fight Against Malaria, TB and AIDS.
Though many scientists are skeptical about Armenicum, a drug developed through Armenian research, it is said to strengthen the immune system. Armenicum is being applied now in Zambia, Liberia and India. Officials from Armenicum Center say it is now being tested in 20 countries and Russia is likely to register it soon. At the initiative of the Armenian health ministry 50 patients are being treated with it free of charge.
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