World AIDS Day; Iran's 'Misleading' Statistics Despite Global Efforts to Eradicate the Disease

The first of December, which this year corresponds to the 10th of Azar in the Persian calendar, is designated as World AIDS Day. People around the world unite on this day to support those living with HIV and to remember those who have lost their lives due to AIDS-related illnesses. The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS focuses on a specific theme each year for World AIDS Day. This year's message is 'Let Communities Lead,' emphasizing the importance of collective action and effort in the fight against AIDS. On the 35th anniversary of World AIDS Day, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that, in unison with the President and Vice President of the United States, everyone is urged to 'remember and commit.' Blinken highlighted that HIV and AIDS have shortened the lives of over 40 million people and called for increased efforts and commitment to end this disease as a public health threat by 2030. This year, the U.S. celebrates the 20th anniversary of the 'Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief' initiated during George W. Bush's presidency, which has saved over 25 million lives and led to the birth of more than 5.5 million babies without HIV. In Iran, the exact statistics for HIV and AIDS infections are unclear. The Iranian Ministry of Health reports that 46,320 cases of HIV have been registered in Iran, with 22,415 deaths attributed to it. Health officials in Iran state that 5,266 infected individuals have yet to seek medical services. Dr. Arash Alaei, who has conducted extensive research on AIDS and has been active in this field for many years, previously explained in an interview with Voice of America that multiple studies indicate the number of HIV-infected individuals in Iran ranges from 95,000 to 120,000, with official statistics reflecting only half of these figures. Dr. Minou Mohraz, former head of the AIDS Research Center, has also acknowledged that the actual number of AIDS patients is three to four times higher than government statistics. Alaei states that there is a significant 'legal barrier' in Iran, and people, especially women, do not seek testing due to existing social and legal stigma. He emphasized that the Iranian Ministry of Health presents figures in a way that is 'misleading.' Alaei noted that while access to condoms was previously available through free health networks, it has been restricted following Ali Khamenei's policies on population growth and the enactment of the 'Population Youth Law.' He mentioned that as the primary mode of transmission has shifted to unprotected sexual relations, there is a need for media to educate on healthy sexual practices, yet preventive measures have been limited, and syringe exchange and substitute treatment programs, which 'were once progressing well,' are no longer actively pursued. HIV remains a significant global public health issue, having claimed the lives of 40.4 million people worldwide.