HIV Facts And Where To Get Tested For Free

The estimated number of adolescents dying of AIDS in the Asia Pacific region has more than doubled since 2005, experts said on Monday, warning of a “hidden epidemic”.

In recognition of World AIDS Day, Algoma Public Health in partnership with HARP – HIV/AIDS Resource Program from the Group Health Centre are promoting Zero AIDS related deaths, Zero new infections, and Zero discrimination.

“This is the first, definitive report on adolescents – teenagers between 10 and 19”, said Wing-Sie Cheng, UNICEF regional adviser on HIV and AIDS.

The short time it takes to get tested allows people “to slip in and slip out”.

Another message of the conference is that Africa, the continent worst affected by HIV, must fight complacency and renew its commitment to increasing funding for the fight against the epidemic, he said.

In Minnesota, over the last 10 years an average of 300 new infections have been diagnosed each year – highlighting the fact that HIV/AIDS case numbers are not dropping.

Noting that Africa had made strides in reducing HIV transmission from mother to child, Pakkala called for more efforts to reach the goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission.

” The number of new HIV infections has continued to decrease from 89 000 in 2004, when the Government of Malawi introduced free antiretroviral therapy, to 42 000 in 2014″.

She notes that local branches of global organisations, such as the ManpowerGroup, should encourage all branches globally to participate where possible in creating and supporting initiatives around this important global issue.

Speaking on the occasion, UNAIDS Country Representative Dr. Mahamdou Sakho said UNAIDS is striving hard to provide technical support to NACP in its response to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS patients.

Using a red ribbon as a global signal of solidarity, the day is meant to raise awareness about the AIDS pandemic and to mourn those who have died from the disease.

Earlier this year, a United Nations report said the world can end the AIDS epidemic within 15 years. A positive diagnosis is not the end of the world: anti-retroviral treatment is effective and has changed the lives of millions of people around the world.

South Africa will on 1 December join the rest of the world in marking World Aids Day.

The CDC says that 24 states require HIV-positive people to disclose their status to sexual partners, while other states criminalize behaviors such as donating organs, tissues or blood.