WORLD AIDS DAY 2015

WHAT IS WORLD AIDS DAY?

WORLD AIDS DAY is held on the 1 December each year and 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.

The 2015 Global theme is "THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW".

BRIEF HISTORY

World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, held for the first time in 1988.

On October 1988, the World Health Organization declared December 1, 1988, to be World AIDS Day. Ever since then, World AIDS Day has been observed on this date each year.

The red ribbon is one of the most widely recognized symbols of HIV and AIDS and the people who live with these conditions. The symbol was presented by a group known as the Visual AIDS Artists Caucus in 1991.

BRIEF HISTORY OF HIV/AIDS

AIDS stands for "Acquired immune deficiency syndrome" or "Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome" and denotes a condition, which results from the damage done by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) to the immune system.

The condition was first identified in 1981 and the name "AIDS" was first introduced on July 27, 1982.

WHY IS WORLD AIDS DAY IMPORTANT?

Globally there are an estimated 36 million+ people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in the early 80's, more than 35 million people have died of  HIV/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, each year, around 2 million people still die of HIV. Also people do not still know the facts about how to protect themselves and others. So stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.

World AIDS Day is 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.

WHAT SHOULD I DO ON WORLD AIDS DAY?

World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show support to and solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV. Wearing a red ribbon is one simple way to do this.

World AIDS Day is also a great opportunity to raise money for AIDS Foundations and NGOs nearest to you in your country, state, and locality, and show your support for people living with HIV.

Now, to the next very important question. . .

WHAT ABOUT AFTER WORLD AIDS DAY?

Although World AIDS Day is a great opportunity to talk about HIV, it is important to keep the momentum going all year round. Don't let it stop just on the 1st of December; HIV/AIDS doesn't stop that day.

And, hey, you can join the Medicalmattaz HIV/AIDS online awareness/campaign, themed #ITSABOUTTIME, which starts today, and running for the rest of this month.

Read #ITSABOUTTIME for more details on the campaign.

Let's keep the momentum together.

THANK YOU. 

#STAYHEALTHY.