[india-drug] World AIDS Day (1) ***************

["Medicine Information Centre" <medinfo@niper.ac.in>]

World AIDS Day (1)
***************

Dear Group,

1st December is recognized internationally as World AIDS day. The theme of campaign in 2001-2010 remains "STOP AIDS. KEEP THE PROMISE". I am enclosing a brief write up on World AIDS Day. Please make arrangements to display at appropriate places at your end.


WORLD AIDS DAY

1st December is recognized internationally as World AIDS Day. The aim of "World AIDS Day" is to raise consciousness in the community about HIV/AIDS issues, including the need for support and understanding for people living with HIV/AIDS, and the need for the development of education and prevention initiatives.

The theme of World AIDS Campaign in 2001-2010 remains "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise". As a part of this, World AIDS Day 2006 will emphasize the theme of accountability.

In the 25 years since the first case was reported, AIDS has changed the world. It has killed 25 million people and infected 40 million more. According to National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), there are 4.58 million people living with HIV/AIDS in India. That's 0.8 percent of the country's population, roughly one infected person in a group of 100. It has become the world's leading cause of death among both women and men ages 15 to 59 years. It has inflicted the single greatest reversal in the history of human development. In other words, it has become the greatest challenge of our generation.

The efforts to halt AIDS are falling far short of their targets. The spread of HIV is quickening - with more people infected in 2006 than in any previous year. This is despite the number of promises by world leaders to provide services to curb the rates of infection and to bring down deaths. 

The key issues in Indian scenario include expanding coverage of antiretroviral therapy and services for preventing mother-to-child transmission; ensuring the quality, safety and correct prescription of antiretroviral therapy across the public and private sectors; strengthening systems to procure medicines and diagnostics, and counseling for treatment adherence.

This year people and organizations around the world should campaign to promote enhanced accountability from leaders on their commitments and generate greater public awareness and engagement on the problem of AIDS worldwide.

Regards,

Ms. Sukhpreet
Medicine Information Pharmacist
Medicine Information Centre
Nat Inst of Pharm Edu & Res (NIPER)
SAS Nagar, Punjab, INDIA