PRESS RELEASE
World AIDS Day: Prevention is the first weapon in fighting the virus, with PrEP and PEP also being promoted in Salerno.
“"We strongly supported this day to work together, institutions and the third sector," emphasized Edoardo Palescandolo, Health delegate for the Arcigay Salerno "Marcella Di Folco" territorial committee, "to create new services for HIV and STI screening, as well as the administration of PrEP and PEP therapies in Salerno, which are sorely needed today.".
Paki Memoli, Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Equal Opportunities, emphasized the importance of combating the stigma associated with people with AIDS, as antiretroviral therapy eliminates the virus's infectiousness and allows people to live a normal life. She also emphasized the importance of promoting scientific research into sexually transmitted diseases. To express its support for the initiative, the City of Salerno will light up its city hall in red on December 1st for World AIDS Day.
“"The Giusy Center is an opportunity that the Campania Region and the Salerno Local Health Authority (ASL) wanted to offer their citizens to prevent HIV and sexually transmitted infections," said Dr. Carmelo Petraglia, Giusy InformAIDS Center, Salerno Local Health Authority (ASL), "through a free and completely anonymous test. In addition, we offer counseling services that we want to increase in both quality and quantity, providing a listening service for people living with HIV.".
Antonella Grandinetti, director of the Salerno Local Health Authority (ASL), expressed her full cooperation through the Addiction Service and the Gender Dysphoria Counseling Center to promote accurate information on sexual safety and prevention among young people through third sector activities.
“"Data shows that more than 50 percent of migrants forced into prostitution who are diagnosed with HIV contracted it in Italy," concluded Alessandra Galatro, head of the "Fuori Tratta" project at ARCI Salerno. "Therefore, as an association, we have a close relationship with the Giusy Center and we provide information to help raise ever-increasing awareness of these diseases.".
See you tomorrow evening at Bar Verdi, where, during the usual Thursday evening aperitif organized by DiverCity, you can take a saliva HIV test safely, free of charge, and anonymously, thanks to the collaboration of the Salerno Local Health Authority. Informational materials and contraceptives will also be distributed.
