01/12/2022
1st DECEMBER - WORLD AID DAY
According to hiv.gov the first HIV case was reported in 1981; that means it has been 41 years since HIV came to be. Notable advancements have been made regarding treatments, prevention and diagnosis. However, the stigma remains.
The goal is to end AIDS by the year 2030. However, according to the secretary general of UNAIDS, we are off track. Inequalities block the end of AIDS.
At the end of 2021, we had a total of 38.4 million people living with HIV worldwide and about 1.5 million cases for the year of 2021 alone. While the number of new cases seems to be dropping (rather slowly), these stats are nevertheless alarming given the UNAIDS campaign's targets.
Over the past couple of years, we have seen the global response to HIV dwindle drastically. Resources have become limited, frequent testing are no longer done, some persons do not have access to medications; and many lives are at risk because of this.
The purpose of World AIDS Day is to remind the public, as well as the government, that HIV is not yet eradicated. It is essential to raise money, improve awareness, combat prejudice, and educate the public about the disease.
HIV stigma and discrimination must be fought if we are to prevent new instances of HIV. We must secure the rights of people living with HIV and stop new cases of HIV. Because of this, we are joining the WHO in calling on the world’s leaders to acknowledge the inequalities preventing progress on ending AIDS and to address them boldly; as well as to provide equal access to HIV services for children and key populations - such as transgender people, drug users, s*x workers, and prison inmates.
“The inequalities that perpetuate the AIDS pandemic can and must be overcome. We can end AIDS. If we equalize".
