"HIV in Turkey" Documentary Filmed

Sabancı University and Gilead Sciences Turkey organized the Fourth National Awareness Conference under the theme "Together We Are Stronger Against HIV," where the documentary "HIV in Turkey" had its premiere. The documentary was produced with support from Gilead Sciences Turkey by 5N1K producer Cüneyt Özdemir and his team to raise public awareness in Turkey. Documentary producer Cüneyt Özdemir spoke before the screening, saying: "When we first took on the task of preparing such a documentary in Turkey, we realized how important it is. For generations growing up in the 1990s, HIV/AIDS was like a horror film. Because they were isolated from the society they lived in, they had to face the disease alone. One of the most important reasons for this was lack of information. In this regard, simply knowing is not enough; disseminating information and raising awareness are also very important. This documentary is an important step but of course it is not enough. NGOs, the private sector and the government need to work together on this issue."

Opening remarks were delivered by Sabancı University Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Fuat Keyman:

"One of the very important decisions taken when the university was founded was that alongside training academically successful and well-equipped individuals, it would also train good students and good citizens. We are glad we created the Mandatory Community Responsibility course. Being sensitive to society and engaging in solving social problems is very important. So far, nearly 15,000 of our students have worked in these areas. Every year 80 projects are implemented. Nearly 1,200 students take part in projects. Reminding that the university held community awareness conferences first on women, then on youth and parenthood, he added: "Today we will also discuss HIV. The slogan 'Together We Are Stronger Against HIV' was very well chosen. I thank Gilead Sciences Turkey very much for working with Sabancı University on this issue."

HIV Is No Longer a Death Sentence; Together We Will End It

Dr. Jose M. Zuniga, President of the International Association of Healthcare Providers for AIDS Care (IAPAC), participated in a panel titled "Where Are We in Turkey on HIV?" and said that Turkey is very successful in diagnosis and treatment, but has not achieved this success in the diagnostic phase. Recalling that IAPAC supported the Fast Track Cities initiative created in Paris in 2014 in 26 cities, Dr. Zuniga stated: "We launched this initiative to achieve the 90-90-90 targets determined for HIV (90% diagnosis, 90% treatment, 90% suppression) and zero stigma. We hope Istanbul and other provinces will also participate in this initiative."

Patient numbers increased by 465% in the last 10 years

Prof. Dr. Deniz Gökengin, who participated in the panel, noted that while there is a 23% global decline in fighting HIV, Turkey has experienced a significant increase in patient numbers over the last 10 years. Saying that rapid increases continue in some regions of the world, particularly in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Central European countries, Prof. Dr. Gökengin stated: "In Turkey, 3,000 to 4,000 new cases are added each year. In fact, we can diagnose only half of patients living with HIV; we estimate there are as many more patients living with HIV. For many years, our patient numbers in Turkey were low. However, this increase was inevitable in regions that have been neglected for many years, and it is spreading to us as well." Prof. Dr. Serhat Ünal from Hacettepe University said: "It is important to expand anonymous testing centers in Turkey. This is how you catch the actual cases. Unfortunately, no progress has been made in awareness. If 20,000 people are HIV-positive today, tomorrow it could be 40,000. Yet we have all the treatments. This is not just a medical problem. It has become the plague of our time and even surpassed it. But to prevent more deaths in the future, we need to find a way to educate people about this. We need to overcome the prejudices on this issue." Dr. Tahsin Gökçem Özçağlı, Medical Director of Gilead Sciences Turkey: "To control the epidemic, there are many stakeholders involved. There is absolutely no chance of achieving anything by excluding one of them. Not only treatment but also new approaches to prevention and protection should be developed. For example, Gilead Sciences is conducting a pilot study with the Elton John Foundation in Kazakhstan. We have also launched a new project called 'Reaching Zero.' We will provide project support of up to 100,000 pounds." Çiğdem Şimşek, President of Pozitif-iz Association: "This is not a gay disease; it affects women, children and young people as well. We work mainly with young people and need to address the issue in a multidisciplinary way. All sections of society have important responsibilities in preventing prejudice. Because of prejudice and discrimination, there are many misconceptions." In the "Good Practice Examples in HIV/AIDS Education in Universities" section of the conference, Zeynep Bahar Çelik, Manager of Sabancı University Community Responsibility Projects, presented the university's projects on this subject. Pelin Anılan, Education Coordinator of Young Approaches in Health, shared the Peer Education Project conducted jointly with Sabancı University with the participants. Prof. Dr. Simten Malhan from Başkent University discussed the university's HIV awareness projects. Prof. Dr. Malhan stated: "According to the results of the world's largest HIV/AIDS Awareness Study conducted jointly by Başkent and Hacettepe Universities, 77% of our society lacks information on this issue. Again, 75% of society does not have the knowledge that HIV-positive individuals can live a normal life. This situation creates a serious risk for society."