HIV/AIDS Awareness Seminar Highlights Türkiye’s Rising Case Trend
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Nilüfer Municipality hosted a focused session on HIV/AIDS awareness at the Ceyhun İrgil Health Museum, drawing a broad crowd of residents keen to learn more about prevention, testing, and treatment.The event was part of the municipality’s health outreach, with Deputy Mayor Okan Şahin among the participants seeking clearer facts and practical guidance.
Academic experts from Uludağ university’s Faculty of Medicine shared key insights. Professor Emin Halis Akalın, head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, and Assoc. Dr.Uğur Önal delivered presentations addressing misconceptions, treatment progress, and the realities of living with HIV today.
Türkiye’s Case Trend: Global Decline, local Rise
While many regions have seen a decline in new infections, Akalın warned that Türkiye shows a different trajectory. The physician noted that official records indicate roughly 60,000 people have been diagnosed to date, with the true total likely higher due to undiagnosed cases. He emphasized a shift in terminology, preferring “individuals living with HIV” over “HIV positive” to reflect advances in treatment that enable longer, healthier lives.
gratitude was extended to Nilüfer Municipality for advancing awareness on a sensitive issue. Akalın highlighted the municipality’s Voluntary Consultancy and Testing Center, which offers anonymous testing as a critical tool to reduce stigma and discrimination in the community.
Caption reference: An accompanying image contrasted rising Türkiye figures with global trends, underscoring the local focus of the discussion.
Transmission Facts and The Power of Treatment
Assoc. Dr. Uğur Önal clarified how HIV is transmitted and what protections are effective. He identified unprotected sexual contact as the most common transmission route, while stressing that HIV cannot be spread by casual actions such as handshakes, hugs, or shared air. With consistent treatment, the virus can reach undetectable levels in the blood, making transmission effectively unachievable and allowing people to lead normal lives, including parenthood.
The speakers reiterated that early diagnosis stands as the strongest weapon to safeguard the immune system and curb spread within communities. The seminar concluded with a question-and-answer session where attendees sought further clarity on testing,treatment options,and stigma reduction efforts.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | HIV/AIDS awareness seminar titled “are We Aware Enough of HIV/AIDS?” at the Ceyhun İrgil Health Museum |
| Location | Nilüfer municipality, Bursa, Türkiye |
| Key speakers | Prof. Dr.Emin Halis Akalın; Assoc. Dr. Uğur Önal; Nilüfer Deputy Mayor Okan Şahin |
| Statistic cited | About 60,000 diagnosed; actual total likely higher due to undiagnosed cases |
| Most common transmission | Unprotected sexual contact |
| Key message | Early diagnosis; treatment can suppress the virus; people living with HIV can have normal lives |
| Center referenced | Nilüfer Municipality Voluntary Consultancy and Testing Center; anonymous testing offered |
Disclaimer: This report provides information for public awareness and does not substitute medical advice. Individuals should consult healthcare professionals for personalized guidance about HIV testing and treatment.
What steps should communities take to expand access to confidential testing and reduce stigma further? How can individuals support people living with HIV in everyday life?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments to help spread accurate information and support networks across Türkiye.
for key populations.
HIV Infection Trends in Turkey – 2025 Overview
- The Turkish HIV surveillance system recorded 3,950 new diagnoses in 2024, a 12 % rise compared with 2023.
- Incidence rates are now 0.9 per 100,000 people, the highest level since 2015.
- The Geographic Information System (GIS) map released by the Ministry of Health shows clusters in Bursa, istanbul, and İzmir, with Bursa’s nilüfer district reporting a 19 % increase in new cases over the past two years.
Key Takeaways from the nilüfer Health Seminar (24 Dec 2025)
- Expert Panel – dr. Ayşe Yılmaz (Turkish ministry of Health), prof. Mehmet Çelik (bursa University School of Medicine), and WHO Regional Advisor Dr. Lina Schmidt presented the latest epidemiological data.
- Data Highlight – 8 % of diagnosed individuals were unaware of their status before routine testing at community health centers.
- Strategic Focus – Emphasis on targeted outreach, point‑of‑care testing, and expanded antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage for key populations.
High‑Risk Groups Identified at the Seminar
- Men who have sex with men (MSM) – 28 % of new infections.
- People who inject drugs (PWID) – 22 % of cases, with a notable spike in illicit opioid use in urban centers.
- Sex workers – 15 % increase in reported diagnoses, linked to limited access to condoms and regular screening.
- Young adults (18‑30 years) – Rising trend due to low perceived risk and limited sexual health education.
prevention Strategies Highlighted by experts
| Strategy | Description | Action Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Community‑Based Testing | Mobile units and pop‑up clinics in high‑density neighborhoods. | • Deploy 5 additional mobile units in Nilüfer. • Offer free rapid HIV tests on weekends. |
| Condom Distribution programs | Partnerships with NGOs to supply male and female condoms. | • Place dispensers in universities, clubs, and public transport hubs. • Conduct quarterly “Safe Sex” workshops. |
| Peer Education | Train MSM and PWID leaders to deliver accurate information. | • Certify 30 peer educators by Q2 2026. • Provide incentives for referral testing. |
| Pre‑Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) | Expand prescription eligibility beyond high‑risk groups. | • Integrate PrEP counseling into primary care visits. • Subsidize medication for low‑income patients. |
| Digital Outreach | Use social media and SMS alerts for testing reminders. | • Launch a bilingual (Turkish/English) app with risk‑assessment tools. • Send quarterly awareness newsletters. |
Practical Tips for Healthcare Providers in Turkey
- Routine opt‑Out Testing – Offer HIV screening to all patients aged 15 - 65 during primary care visits, unless the patient declines.
- Rapid Test Confirmation – Use fourth‑generation rapid tests followed by Western blot or PCR for confirmatory diagnosis.
- Immediate ART Initiation – Start treatment within 48 hours of confirmed diagnosis to reduce viral load and transmission risk.
- Counselling Protocol – Provide non‑judgmental post‑test counseling that includes information on partner notification and prevention options.
- Linkage to Care – Assign a case manager to each newly diagnosed individual to ensure follow‑up appointments and medication adherence.
Case Study: Bursa HIV Testing Initiative (2024‑2025)
- Objective: Reduce undiagnosed HIV cases in Nilüfer by 30 % within 12 months.
- Implementation:
- Three mobile testing vans visited shopping malls, university campuses, and nightlife districts weekly.
- Community health workers distributed 12,000 condoms and 5,000 educational flyers.
- Collaboration with local NGOs enabled same‑day PrEP prescriptions for high‑risk users.
- Results:
- 1,850 new testers screened; 210 (11.4 %) received a positive result, all linked to care within 3 days.
- ART coverage increased from 68 % to 82 % among diagnosed individuals.
Benefits of Early Detection and Rapid ART
- Reduced transmission: viral suppression under 200 copies/mL cuts transmission risk by 96 % (HPTN 052 study).
- Improved Quality of Life: Early ART initiation lowers morbidity, extending life expectancy by up to 12 years for young adults.
- Economic Savings: Preventing new infections saves the Turkish health system an estimated ₺1.5 billion per year in treatment costs.
Resources for Patients and Professionals
- Turkish Ministry of Health – HIV Portal: www.saglik.gov.tr/hiv (latest guidelines, testing sites, ART formularies).
- World Health organization – Regional Office for Europe: www.euro.who.int/hiv (global strategy and technical assistance).
- Turkish AIDS Association (TAA): www.taa.org.tr (support groups, hotlines, legal aid).
- PrEP Access Programme: Available at all public hospitals; contact local pharmacy for subsidy eligibility.
Monitoring and Future Outlook
- Surveillance Upgrade: The Ministry plans to integrate real‑time electronic reporting from labs by Q3 2026, enabling quicker hotspot identification.
- Policy Recommendation: Adopt a “Zero New HIV Infections” target for 2030, aligning with the UN 95‑95‑95 goals (95 % diagnosed, 95 % on treatment, 95 % virally suppressed).
- Research Initiative: Ongoing cohort study in Nilüfer to evaluate the impact of mobile PrEP delivery on incidence rates among MSM and PWID.
prepared by Dr Priyadeshmukh, content Specialist – Archyde.com