Moldova

Infectious diseases — Table I

Officially
registered 
cases
of  sexually
transmitted diseases
Officially
registered
Hepatitis C cases
Officially
registered
AIDS cases
Officially
registered
HIV/TB cases
Estimated
HIV cases
Officially
registered
HIV cases
No data60 000
(2015)1
2 789
(01.01.2015)2
338
(2014)3
18 000
[15 000-21 000]
(2014)4
5 711
(01.12.2015)5

HIV situation

HIV was able to gain a foothold in Moldova thanks to its high population density, social and economic crises, and high rates of migration. The spread of the epidemic in Moldova is, in part, due to the relative political isolation and high population density of Trans-Dniester, a post-war conflict zone that operates as an independent republic, although it remains unrecognised as such by Moldova or the international community.

Similar to elsewhere in the region, the epidemic was initially concentrated among injecting drug users, but is now quickly spreading among the general population via heterosexual transmission. Unfortunately, the Moldovan healthcare system is unable to keep up with the growing epidemic and anti-retroviral treatment is not available in the regions where it is most needed. However, the National HIV Prevention and Control Programme for 2006–2010 stipulates the introduction of methadone maintenance programmes to treat opiate dependence, which have been proven as a key prevention mechanism among injecting drug users. However, access to these services, as well as access to anti-retroviral treatment, by the various target groups is limited.

In 2013 AFEW-Ukraine has stoped its projects in Moldova due to unavailability of funds.