On 25–26 July 2026, a training “Early Diagnosis and Effective Management of HIV Infection: Treatment and Prevention Services, and Reducing HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination” was held at the T. Tsertsvadze Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, with the support of the Global Fund programme.

Presentations of the center’s leading specialists – Drs. Akaki Abutidze, Nino Badridze, Maya Tsintsadze, Ketevan Shermadini, Pati Gabunia, Maia Lomtadze, and Giorgi Khechiashvili were delivered. The following topics were discussed:

• The importance of early HIV diagnosis;
• HIV treatment and prevention services;
• Up-to-date approaches to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP);v
• The impact of HIV-related stigma and discrimination on patients' health outcomes and the quality of healthcare services;
• Practical approaches and ethical principles for preventing stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings.

The training aimed to strengthen the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals, promote early HIV diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment, and contribute to reducing stigma and discrimination within the healthcare system.

The training was attended by representatives of healthcare institutions from Tbilisi and other regions of Georgia, including facilities providing HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment services. Participants included clinical managers, infectious disease specialists, epidemiologists, laboratory physicians, infection prevention and control specialists, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations.