WORLD AIDS DAY; NACA, AFRH Others Commemorate 2022 WORLD AIDS DAY

National Agency for the Control of AIDS

(NACA), Association for Reproductive and Family Health ( ARHF) and other stakeholders observed 2022 World AIDS Day.

The 2022 World AIDS ceremony with the theme tagged "Equalize to end AIDS: Equal access to treatment and prevention services" was held in Abuja on 1st of Dec, featuring activities which include, Unveiling of GEN- N National Campaign brand for AYP HIV intervention in Nigeria, launching of HIV Trust Fund Onliy Donation Portal, Unveiling  of strategic document s on HIV / AIDS among others.

The Ceremony had in attendance ARFH representative Mr Oladeji Adeyemi  (Programme Coordinator) and Mr Ayinla, the Secretary to Federal Government, the Honourable Minister of Health, Parliamentarians, PEPFAR deputy Chief of Mission among many other partners and implementing organisations, as posted on ARFH Facebook page.

World AIDS Day was founded in 1988, and  takes place on 1 December each year. The first ever global health day that provides opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the crusade  against HIV, to show love and  support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.

This day is important because globally there are an estimated 38 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 related illnesses, tagging 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 in the UK over 4,139 people are diagnosed with HIV, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and 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. www.worldaids.org