Nearly 19 620 Bulgarians underwent anonymous HIV testing and consultation in the clinics that function since April 2003.

The clinics were set up under the national programme for HIV/AIDS prevention and control, implemented by the Health Ministry with financial resources from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Until June 21 2006, the number of officially registered HIV-positive people in Bulgaria reached 646. Nearly 67 per cent are men and the majority of the people are aged between 20 and 39.

A number of non-governmental organisations and municipal structures have agreed to join the programme and aid the creation of new facilities and consultation rooms.

Non-governmental organisations would also work in Bulgaria’s coastal resorts to increase awareness.

The aim of the programme is to reach and inform Bulgarians belonging to high-risk groups. One results of the campaign was that from January to March 2006, 3 878 people underwent HIV testing. The figure is three times bigger than the one for the same period last year.

For the same period the programme utilised $536 000 for awareness campaigns among intravenous drug addicts, Roma minorities and prostitutes.