Today being 1st of December, the whole World is celebrating World AIDS Day with the theme being “EQUALIZE” this is because HIV remains a major public issue that affects millions of people worldwide as due to it many goals have stalled, resources have shrunk and millions of lives are at risk as a result.
World’s AIDS Day is always celebrated on every 1st December annually globally.
The reason why the World’s AIDS day is celebrated is because people around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS.
This year’s theme, “Equalize” is a slogan which calls to action. It is a prompt for all of us to work for the proven practical actions needed to address inequalities and help end AIDS.
These include;
Increase availability, quality and suitability of services, for HIV treatment, testing and prevention, so that everyone is well-served.
Reform laws, policies and practices to tackle the stigma and exclusion faced by the people living with HIV and by key and marginalized populations, so that everyone is shown respect and is welcomed.
Ensure the sharing of technology to enable equal access to the best HIV science, between communities and the Global South and North.
Communities will be able to make use of and adapt the “Equalize” message to highlight the particular inequalities they face and to press for actions needed to address them.
Thus this year’s theme is wake up call for all of us to focus on the practical solutions to alleviate inequality and put an end to life threatening disease “AIDS”
The World Health Organization (WHO) founded World AIDS Day on December 1 in 1988 to promote information sharing between local and national authorities, international organisations, and private citizens.
First observed in 1988, seven years after the first AIDS diagnosis, World AIDS Day provides an opportunity to recognize the fight to lessen the impact and ultimately end the HIV epidemic.
Kenya has also joined the world in celebrating this day. The event was held at Kibabii University in Bungoma County led by Health and Sanitation CS Susan Nakhumicha.
By Diana Wangila