AIDS AWARENESS in DECEMBER

By: Irene Basson

World AIDS Day is held on the 1st December each year and the entire month of December is dedicated to the awareness of HIV and Aids. It is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. Wearing a red ribbon is one simple way to do this.

South Africa has the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS compared to any other country in the world. That means that around one in every 10 South Africans is HIV+ (positive), according to a report released by Statistics SA in July 2015. Statistician general Pali Lehohla, speaking at the release of the mid-year population estimates report in Pretoria, said 6.19 million South Africans, 11.2%, are living with the disease, out of an estimated total population of 54.95 million people.

Globally there are an estimated 34 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment; there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. Despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others. Stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.

It is important for each individual to empower themselves with as much knowledge about precautions to safeguard against contracting HIV as well as information on living with the condition. Not every person who is HIV+ progresses to AIDS; as long as the necessary steps are taken, HIV no longer needs to be seen as the death sentence it was 31 years ago.

Awareness campaigns are important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.