DECEMBER 1 is World Aids Day and preparations for the commemoration of the event have reached an advanced stage in most countries around the globe.
Established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1988, World Aids Day serves to focus global attention on the devastating impact of the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

In different countries World Aids Day commemorations will serve to remind governments, national AIDS councils, churches, AIDS service organizations, community based initiatives and even publics of what has been done with regards to the HIV scourge, what still needs to be done ands how to achieve the set targets.

Key issues:
1. World Aids Day this year, which is being commemorated under the theme “Stop AIDS, Keep the promise in line with the Millennium Development Goal on AIDS to halt and begin to reverse its spread by 2015, comes at a time when 40 million people, according to UNAIDS are living with HIV and AIDS.
2; It also comes at a time when  “promises and commitments have been made by individuals, communities and nations.
“Join the World AIDS campaign to make sure these promises have been kept,” countries have been urged.

3; Some individual countries have however, come up with slogans of their choice to support the theme.
Zimbabwe, for instance, has decided to go with “HIV Prevention Now, Stop AIDS, keep the promise!
4; According to UNAIDS at least 40 million people are living with HIV and AIDS currently and the number is increasing in every region every day.
In the United Kingdom more than 60 000 people are living with HIV and more than 7 000 more are being diagnosed every year.
5: Besides the fact that Sub-Saharan Africa is home to just over 10 percent of the world’s population, it is home to almost 64 percent of all HIV infections, with an estimated 21,6 million to 27,4 million people living with HIV infection.

6: In 2005, an estimated 2,3 million to 3,1 million people in the region became newly infected and up to 2,3 millions adults and children died of AIDS related illnesses, the report says.

7; Latest surveys however note that most sub-Saharan African countries are experiencing generalized epidemics with HIV spreading throughout the general population rather than being confined to populations at higher risk, such as commercial sex workers and their clients, homosexuals and injecting drug users.

8: Heterosexual transmission is by far the predominant mode of HIV transmission with ignorance and prejudice, fuelling the spread of a preventable disease.

9: Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) wants to play a part in fighting against HIV and AIDS by bringing accurate HIV and AIDS information together for those who need it.
Information, according to SAfAIDS is power and there is every reason to share it.

Sara Page, SAfAIDS deputy director said “We are all pieces of the pie, contributing in our own little ways towards the grand objective of cutting down new HIV infections,” she said.
“Being located in the Southern African region, which is like the epi-cente of the pandemic we have a crucial role along with other partners to do the best we can to ensure that everyone is informed about HIV and AIDS at all time,” Ms Page said.

10: Journalists can also find out what is happening in other countries in the region on the occasion of World AIDS Day as well as the latest HIV statistics in these countries.

 For more information on trends and statistics in the region go to htttp://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/global?page=cr09-00-00

,