El Paso commemorates World AIDS Day

Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS and UN Under-Secretary-General, disclosed this in his message to the 2016 World AIDS Day observed on Thursday.

“These consequences, or fear of them mean that people are less likely to go for HIV testing, disclose their HIV status to others, adopt HIV preventive behaviour or access treatment and support”. New Zealand is lagging behind the rest of the world on making this treatment available.

Persons who are HIV Positive are mobilized to seek treatment.

“The test is fast and simple – and one of the best weapons we have to stop the spread of HIV”.

Although there have been impressive results in reducing the number of AIDS diagnoses during the last decade, the burden of HIV infection remains unacceptably high in Europe.

“Around the world, HIV and AIDS are hugely problematic, particularly in large areas of Africa. Millions of infections have been prevented”, he continued.

One of the most destructive pandemics in history, HIV and AIDS have killed approximately 35 million people since their discovery in 1984.

In his message for World AIDS Day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the global community can look back “with some pride” at the 35 years since the emergence of AIDS, but must also look ahead with resolve and commitment to reach its goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

“Here and around the world, almost 18 million people are receiving the treatment and care they need”.

In Malta, over a 10-year period starting in 2004, a total of 300 new cases of HIV were identified.

Despite this, each year in the United Kingdom around 6,000 people are diagnosed with HIV, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.

“We must never forget, and never give up the fight against HIV”. HIV stigma is a daily reality and is experienced in situations where people should feel supported and valued: at work, in education and when accessing services.