December 1, 2009 - Traditionally, every year, as of December 1, thousands of messages are launched to attract people attention worldwide about the HIV and AIDS, which continues to steal lives of people which are ignorant and underestimate the risk of HIV infection.

According to UNAIDS, from the start of the epidemic, approximately 25 million people passed away because of AIDS associated maladies and more then 35,7 million people live with HIV, among them 5 million are children and 15 millions are orphans due to AIDS.
At global level, according to the Report „2009 AIDS Epidemic Update”, a progress was registered in reduction of new HIV cases with 17 % during the last 8 years. It is welcome but the actions of all partners involved in the national response to HIV/AIDS should focus further on achieving the Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

Joint efforts of the state institutions, civil society and private sector should be strengthened to ensure the sustainability of the results achieved up-to-date. UN Agencies, especially UNAIDS will continue to provide technical assistance to support the actions and initiatives focused on halting the spread of HIV infection, including in the Republic of Moldova.

This year, according to World AIDS Campaign, the topic of World AIDS Day is "Universal Access and Human Rights". The access to prevention, treatment, care and support is a fundamental right and part of the response to HIV and AIDS. UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon underscored in a recent statement the importance of the human rights in the response to HIV and AIDS and mentioned that if rights of people living with HIV are respected in the countries, less new HIV cases are registered, less requests for ARV treatment and less deaths.

According to the recent data in the Republic of Moldova in 2008 were registered 795 new HIV cases. During 11 months of 2009 were registered 645 new HIV cases, with 73 cases less in comparison to the same period of 2008. The high level of infection is recorded in municipalities Balti, Chisinau, Tiraspol and in rayons: Glodeni, Basarabeasca, Singerei, Falesti, Causeni, Donduseni, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Orhei, Hincesti, Ribnita and Slobozia.

80 % of people infected with HIV are young people aged between 15-39 years old and the sexual transmission of HIV increases. As of the total number of HIV positive persons approximately 79 % are infected due to sexual intercourse.  758 persons are on antiretroviral treatment. 
In order to mark World AIDS Day- December 1, 2009, besides other activities, an Award Ceremony was organized as of November 30, 2009, to honor and celebrate the outstanding initiatives of behalf of people and communities which demonstrate involvement and leadership in reducing the spread and the impact of AIDS at national level.

During the ceremony awards were given out in area of culture and art as well as Red Ribbon Award. Red Ribbon Award was given out based on the contest organized by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in Moldova and World AIDS Campaign (WAC) in Moldova. The contest, developed during the period of October 22-November 25, 2009, was open to all citizens of the Republic of Moldova, through nominalization of individuals or institutions/organizations both governmental and non-governmental involved in the national response to AIDS. Individual/organization which accumulated the majority of nominations was awarded. Nominations were done through www.aids.md. The winners of the award are as it follows:

• Individuals who showed involvement in the national response to HIV/AIDS and outstanding attitude toward people living with HIV/AIDS

1. Best infectious doctor – Svetlana Popovici, Republican Dermato-venerological Dispensary
2. Best general practitioner – Ecaterina Rotaru, National Centre of HIV Prevention and Control
3. Best social worker – Diana Doros, Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family
4. Best priest/pastor active – Priest Octavian Mosin, Mitropoly of Moldova
5. Best activist – Alexandru Curasov, League of people living with HIV of Moldova

• Organizations which are mostly involved in the national response to HIV/AIDS and demonstrate outstanding attitude toward people living with HIV/AIDS

1. Best organization/institution working in HIV prevention and communication – AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW) Moldova
2. Best organization/institution working with vulnerable groups – NGO “New Life”
3. Best organization/institution providing access to care and support for people living with HIV – League of people living with HIV of Moldova
4. Best organization/institution working with young people – NGO “Youth for Right to Live”, Balti
5. Best private sector entity, which promotes and implements HIV/AIDS workplace policy – company RED Union Fenosa

Special Recognition “Red Ribbon” was awarded to Stefan Gheorghita, Primevice-director of the National Scientific-Practical Centre of Preventive Medicine, Director of the National AIDS Centre for long lasting, outstanding involvement and results achieved in area of HIV/AIDS.
The event organized by AFEW Moldova, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova, League of people living with HIV of Moldova, UNAIDS Moldova, UNESCO and World AIDS Campaign (WAC) in Moldova, represented the first partnership and reunited the representatives of the state bodies, central and local public authorities, civil society, UN Agencies and private sector.