A number of events will be held across the world to mark World Aids Day today, 1 December. Here in Ireland, two special events are set to take place today and tomorrow in the capital. This evening Dublin Lord Mayor Andrew Montague will oversee the lighting of the Mansion House in red to help promote awareness of the disease and efforts being made to reduce its spread.
During the event, Minister of State for Health Roisin Shortall will launch a nationwide HIV prevention and sexual health awareness programme for gay and bisexual men, followed by a candle-lighting ceremony to remember those who have died from HIV and Aids.
Meanwhile tomorrow, the Diaspora Womens Initiative will launch its ‘Getting to Zero’ campaign in conjunction with AKiDwA. The campaign calls for an end to new infections and HIV-related deaths, as well as eradicating the stigma and discrimination that exist about the disease.
While we commend these groups for being proactive in the fight against HIV/Aids both at home and abroad, we also urge the public to strongly support their efforts. We also call on the Government and donors to give more money to the fight against HIV/Aids.
There are very good reasons why they should do so. Recent figures released by UNAids indicate that deaths from HIV/Aids are down from their peak in 2005. The report also states that cases of new HIV infections in 2010 were 21 per cent down compared to the height of the peak in 1997. Clearly efforts are working, so we believe further investment in the area will go a long way towards achieving a world without HIV or Aids.
news@metroeireann.com
