May 18 marks the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day. This year, the world commemorates this day for the 42nd time, and Georgia for the 29th time, calling on the public to:
Honor the memory of those who have died from AIDS – more than 40 million globally;
Express solidarity with people living with HIV/AIDS, whose number exceeds 39 million worldwide;
Support education and mobilization of society in the fight against the epidemic, ensure that every person with HIV is identified and treated, especially considering that only 85% of those living with HIV globally are aware of their status;
Contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, and ensure that all people have access to treatment, given that only 75% of those diagnosed are currently receiving antiretroviral (ARV) therapy;
Join active HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns, including detection and treatment of people living with HIV, as well as preventive measures to avoid new transmissions — with the ultimate goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
HIV/AIDS Epidemic Situation in Georgia:According to the global classification, Georgia is considered a country with a concentrated HIV/AIDS epidemic and a stable epidemiological situation.
As of May 18, 2025, a total of 11,218 people living with HIV have been registered at the Tengiz Tsertsvadze Infectious Diseases, AIDS, and Clinical Immunology Center, including:
8,409 men
2,809 women
2,402 patients have died
In the current year alone, 212 new HIV cases have been identified.
More than 6,900 patients are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy.
Transmission Routes for Registered HIV Cases:30% – Injecting drug use
53% – Heterosexual contact
14% – Men who have sex with men (MSM)
1.1% – Mother-to-child transmission
0.4% – Blood transfusion
0.9% – Undetermined transmission route
Geographic Distribution:Most HIV/AIDS cases are registered in Tbilisi, followed by Samegrelo, Adjara, and Imereti.
2025 Global Theme:“Remember, Act, Fight for the Future!”
This year, the world marks the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial with this slogan, encouraging not only remembrance of those lost, but also global solidarity with people living with HIV, action to break the barriers of stigma and discrimination, and the fight to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030.
The AIDS Candlelight Memorial was first observed in San Francisco in 1983, later becoming a global tradition. Every third week of May, thousands of people around the world light candles in the streets to show solidarity with those living with HIV and their loved ones.
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