Fellow Anguillans
December 1st is observed as World AIDS Day in recognition of the global campaign to end the disease and raise awareness. It provides that opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
Just over three decades ago, when we knew only the devastation HIV inflicted, those living with it had to fight just to be treated with dignity and compassion, and since the first cases of AIDS were reported, tens of millions of vibrant men and women worldwide have lost their lives to this deadly virus.
Today promising public health and scientific advances have transformed what it means to live with HIV/AIDS. More effective prevention, treatment, and care now save millions of lives. For many a disease that was once a death sentence now offers a good chance for a healthy and productive life.
The global fight against HIV/AIDS has made extraordinary progress and there is a conviction that the world and the region can achieve an AIDS-free generation by 2030. This year’s theme “Getting to Zero” — zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero discrimination reflects that conviction.
The goal of an AIDS-free generation may be ambitious, but it is possible. It is a goal that is within our reach. Research shows that three key prevention interventions can dramatically drive down the rate of new infections: Antiretroviral Treatment of HIV-Positive Persons, Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and expanding Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision. These tools put us on a path for eliminating new HIV infections when used with HIV testing and counseling, condoms, and other prevention interventions.
Over the years, the National HIV/AIDS programme, which is now the National Chronic Disease Unit, has played a key role in implementing most of these strategies. Treatment of HIV-positive people with antiretroviral drugs are available free of cost to those who require and willing to access treatment. Programme initiatives have eliminated mother to child transmission- that means a HIV-positive mother will not transmit the HIV virus to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding.
Our Comprehensive con
dom programming has utilized various condom promotion and distribution channels— that will increase condom use. This includes ensuring that male condoms, which continue to play a key role in HIV prevention, are widely available and accessible free of charge to both men and women.
Additionally we have and will continue to scale up the number of testing sites in the public and private sector that offers free HIV testing to the general public so that everyone has the opportunity to know their status.
However despite these initiatives, success or failure to reach and sustain an AIDS-free generation rests heavily on human behavior. Irrespective of one’s religion, gender, occupation or social standing anyone stands the risk of being infected or affected .This day reminds us that HIV and AIDS are real. So those of you are already infected or at risk of infection you must faithfully practice recommended treatment and/or prevention strategies, including taking antiretroviral drugs daily as prescribed; using a condom every time they have sex; and, for those who inject drugs, always using a clean needle and syringe. For those uninfected by HIV – safe sexual behaviours and practices must be maintained in order to sustain your HIV-negative status.
As Anguilla continues to play its part in this global fight, let us commune our efforts in order to sustain and improve upon the progress that has been achieved so we can Get to Zero.
Thank you…..May God Bless you and May God bless Anguilla
-Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
