Messina on the front line against HIV with the event “Love Yourself, Protect Yourself, Love Yourself”.

Present were the mayor Federico Basile and the councilor for Health Policies Alessandra Calafiore, it was presented over the weekend at Palazzo Zanca the event “Love Yourself, Protect Yourself, Love Yourself”, on the occasion of World AIDS Day, which was celebrated on Sunday 1 December.

The press conference was attended, among others, by the outgoing president of the Messina Social City Company Valeria Asquini; the heads of the Infectious Diseases departments of the AO Papardo Antonio Albanese and of the AUO Martino Policlinico of Messina Giovanni Pellicanò; the president of Arcigay Makwan Messina Rosario Duca; and the representatives of the university project of Messina SAFE U.

The initiative, organized by the Municipality of Messina, together with the Arcigay association, the University of Messina, the Red Cross, the Papardo Hospital, the ASP ME, the IRCSS Bonino Pulejo, Messina Social City, ATM, Lelat and other partners involved in the activities, includes various HIV screening tests. The first one took place on Friday in Piazza Cairoli, from 18pm to 20pm, and in Piazza Duomo, from 21pm to 23pm; Saturday, November 30th, meeting in Piazza Cairoli, from 18pm to 20pm; and at the Cortile Segreto, in Largo Seggiola, from 21.30pm onwards.

"This initiative – explained the mayor Basile – is part of the awareness campaign that is essential to keep attention high on such an important and delicate topic. Therapies and drugs have progressed compared to the past, but it is important to talk about HIV to prevent its further spread. It seems like a distant problem, but in reality it is not and not talking about it is wrong. These days are important for the new generations, but also for the old ones".

"The Municipality, together with many partners, – he continued Councilor Calafiore - has created a structured and consolidated network over time that deals with prevention. I thank all those present, the associations, the health workers, the presidents of Messina Social City and ATM, for their contribution in organizing the two days, and the Order of Nursing Professions for the creation of a video promoting the event. Prevention on this topic must involve the younger generations, who will form the civil society of the future. Investing in research and promoting the inclusion of people affected by HIV are other relevant issues to never lower our guard and act in a preventive manner through adequate information campaigns".

President Asquini focused on the operational presence and contribution provided by the Messina Social City Company. Doctors Pellicanò and Albanese highlighted the increase in the spread of the virus, illustrating the methods to carry it out. Duca, instead, underlined the greater involvement, especially of the healthcare sector, in this year's event.

From Thursday to Sunday 1 December, the balcony of Palazzo Zanca It was decorated with a huge “red ribbon”, the red bow that symbolizes solidarity with people infected with HIV.