During 23 years around the world on this day were held one thousand events and actions from fundraising, through entertaining, educational events, and activities supporting the awareness about HIV/AIDS.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that affects the human immune system and weakens the ability to resists and defends against infectious diseases. The virus can cause life-threatening and incurable pathological condition called AIDS.

Patients affected by AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) have reduced immunity response that cannot resist common infections, which defend a healthy individual.

The years 2011 to 2015, these days are focused to fight HIV/AIDS under the title - "Get to zero: Zero new infections. Zero discrimination. Zero deaths from AIDS. "This global campaign has increased pressure on the accessibility of the treatment for all.

In the world around 34 million people are infected with HIV virus, 2.1 million are children. Up to 90% of infected lives are in developing countries and almost 70% of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Nearly 15 million people are in a need of antiretroviral treatment (ART), but only a third of those 15 million people living with HIV and need this lifelong treatment receives ART, sadly only 360,000 children! Less than a half of HIV positive mothers have an access to PMTCT program (program to minimize the HIV transmission from a mother to a child), even though the most of the infected cases in children are due to transmission from a mother to a child. The numbers of newly infected are growing faster than the numbers of people starting ARV treatment.

Magna Children at Risk is active in this area, primarily by 2 types of assistance: The first is the PMTCT program (Prevention Mother-To-Child Transmission) and the second is antiretroviral therapy administered to paediatric patients suffering from HIV/AIDS since 2003. Magna provides medical screening, drugs, laboratory testing, nutrition and psychosocial support. Works directly in the field and the team of health workers and social worker daily provide their services in local communities. Regular medical check-ups, community visits, information about the possibilities and ways of transmission, as well as control of hygiene condition prevent the spread of the HIV virus and ensure adequate treatment and care for patients.

Magna Children at Risk helps every year almost 1,000 children from being HIV infected - prevents HIV transmission from a pregnant mother to a child.

Magna in 2006 has implemented the first project oriented on prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child in Cambodia. This project operates in 4 hospitals and is the largest of its kind in the country. Other countries where Magna is active are Kenya, DRC, Nicaragua and Vietnam.

In Vietnam, the project activities significantly reduced mortality of HIV positive children. In July 2010, when the project started, up to 12 children died per a month. Successful implementation of the project and efficient work of Magna staff reduced mortality of HIV positive children on average 1 child per a month. Every HIV positive woman should be informed about her medical condition and have an opportunity to start ARV treatment and ensure prevention of HIV transmission to her newborn baby.

Referring all HIV paediatric patients to the program and follow-up of the patients was the basic for increasing the success of the project. At the beginning they were only 2 paediatric patients referred, after two months of the project, the number increased on average 15 patients a month.

Also in Kenya, the program oriented on prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS patients in the last years brings a huge achievement. In an effort to improve an access to treatment, Magna has expanded her activities and currently is providing services to HIV/AIDS patients in three health facilities in order to be close to communities and to patients.

Msambweni, a district near Tanzanian border, is a forgotten region with a big number of people without an access to ARV treatment. In cooperation with the local Ministry of Health, Magna ensures that an adequate treatment is available in three health facilities to 1,350 people living with HIV, of whom 250 are children under 15 years.

Non-governmental organization Magna Children at Risk is active in developing countries to ensure better access to quality generic ARV drugs, creates pressure on the official representatives in order to improve conditions in health facilities and the quality of personnel, medical equipment and drugs.

Help to save a child can everyone with Magna Children at Risk. Only 30 € per a month ensure monthly ARV treatment for HIV positive child. Join us and donate!