"In their shoes" – solidarity in great strides to support people with HIV

Students from Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova - future doctors - marked the World AIDS Day with a manifest of life and solidarity. 

Young people from the academic community, along with national and international organizations in the field of human rights and HIV, participated in a symbolic community action dedicated to the World AIDS Day. 

Under the slogan "In their shoes", students, resident doctors, teachers and other volunteers symbolically walked alongside people living with HIV, covering a distance of 838 meters - one meter for each of the 838 people who chose to start antiretroviral treatment in 2024. At the end of the march, participants outlined the shape of their shoes on the asphalt and wrote messages of empathy, encouragement and support. 

"Together with UNAIDS Moldova, we are working to ensure that our students deeply understand the importance of human rights, equitable access to treatment, and combating the stigma surrounding HIV. Today's event is a lesson of life and humanity," said Marcel Abras, vice-rector for clinical activity management, Doctor of Medical Science, Associate Professor at Nicolae Testemitanu University. 

"Persons who live with HIV do not need judgment, but support, treatment and acceptance, and the conviction that they have the right to a dignified life, without discrimination. What we have achieved today is to transform the day of remembrance into a collective message of support for people living with HIV in the Republic of Moldova," added Svetlana Plamadeala, country director, UNAIDS Moldova. 

The students were joined by national and international partners – authorities, UN organizations, and diplomatic representatives – who support joint efforts to prevent, treat fairly, and combat discrimination. 

"As the authority responsible for public health, we want every person living with HIV to have equal access to diagnosis, treatment and support. HIV should no longer be a social condemnation. The health system provides everyone with diagnosis and treatment, which helps people living with HIV to enjoy a normal life and dignity, not isolation," said Angela Paraschiv, State Secretary at the Ministry of Health. 

"This initiative combines solidarity, education and human rights. Our project in partnership with the UN aims to strengthen these values ​​on both banks of the Nistru River, and the involvement of students and health authorities is an example of cohesion and social responsibility," added Katarina Fried, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Moldova. 

It has been estimated that over 16,800 people are living with HIV in the Republic of Moldova. In 2024 alone, 880 people were diagnosed. Although access to treatment has improved considerably – stigma and fear continue to be important barriers to testing and treatment. 

The event was organized by the Association of Medical Students and Residents of Moldova and Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, with the support of UNAIDS Moldova, in partnership with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova, Toma Ciorba Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases public medical and health institution and the National Public Health Agency. 

The event took place within the framework of the joint UN program "Strengthening Human Rights on Both Banks of the Dniester River" implemented by the UN, with the financial support of the Embassy of Sweden in the Republic of Moldova.