PHILIPSBURG--The Health Ministry’s Collective Preventive Services (CPS) on Monday issued a call on the population to play their part to prevent HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths and to work towards eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
The call came on the heels of World AIDS Day being observed around the globe today Tuesday, December 1, under the theme: “On the Fast-Track to end AIDS.”
Already 15 million people are accessing life-saving HIV treatment. New HIV infections have been reduced by 35 per cent since 2000 and AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by 42 per cent since the peak in 2004.
CPS staff will be wearing T-shirts to observe the day with the rest of the world with the theme: “Collectively getting to Zero.” The staff will be wearing their red shirts every Friday for the month of December in observation of World AIDS Day.
New Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour Emil Lee was present for a photo opportunity with the staffers in their T-shirts.
Ending the AIDS epidemic means that adolescent girls and young women have access to education and appropriate HIV and sexual and reproductive health services, it was stated in a press release. “It means that key populations, such as people who inject drugs and transgender people, have full access to health services delivered with dignity and respect. It means that every child is born free from HIV, and that they and their mothers not only survive but thrive. This is an exciting time in the AIDS response. We are building momentum towards a sustainable, equitable and healthy future for all,” Executive Director of United Nations (US) AIDS Under-Secretary-General of the UN Michel Sidibe said in his message for the occasion.
To end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals will require investment, commitment and innovation to be accelerated. The Fast-Track approach entails front-loads investments; focusses on the locations, populations and programmes that deliver the greatest impact; catalyses innovation for people who need it most; engages local leadership for targeted, sustained and accountable responses; creates new partnerships; stands firm on human rights; and delivers results that leave no one behind.
For information call CPS at tel. 542-2078 or 542-3003.
