NEW YORK: World AIDS Day is being observed today to raise awareness and prevention as the world is facing another pandemic.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s World AIDS Day holds extra significance. Not since the HIV/AIDS pandemic of the 1990s have countries faced such a common health threat
The novel coronavirus has swept across the world and devastating health systems and laying waste to economies as governments introduced drastic measures to contain the spread.
This year the theme of World AIDS Day is “Global solidarity, shared responsibility”. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his message on the occasion said health must be a top investment priority to achieve universal health coverage.
World AIDS Day on 1 December brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic.
The day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care around the world.
It has become one of the most widely recognised international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have died, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), the world has made significant progress since the late 1990s, but HIV remains a major global public health issue. The world faces additional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic like many other major health issues.
HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care services are all being disrupted particularly in countries with fragile heath systems. The breakdown in essential HIV services due to COVID-19 is threatening lives.
Any slowing down in the provision of these services will leave many vulnerable populations at greater risk of HIV infection and AIDS-related deaths. Nevertheless, all over the world, health workers and community representatives are doing their utmost to keep services going, adopting innovative ways to overcome disruptions in services caused by COVID-19.
WHO has paid tribute to all those working to provide HIV services, and in calling on global leaders and citizens to rally for “global solidarity” to maintain essential HIV services during COVID 19 and beyond.
It is a call to focus on vulnerable groups who are already at risk and expand coverage to children and adolescents. It has called for more protection and support to health workers who have long been on the frontline of HIV service delivery and contribute to the effort to end AIDS and make the world a healthier place.
