World AIDS Day 2011

World AIDS Day 2011

On the first of December, World AIDS Day is celebrated.  This day is an opportunity for people to unite in
the fight against HIV/AIDS, to remember those who have died of the disease and to celebrate accomplishments,
such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

Today, despite advances in HIV treatment and in laws designed to protect those living with HIV;
many people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV or about the
stigma and discrimination that remain a reality for many people living with HIV.  World AIDS Day is
an important reminder to individuals and governments that HIV has not gone away – there is still a
vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2011 is "Getting to Zero." After 30 years of the global fight against
HIV/AIDS, this year the focus is on achieving 3 targets: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination.
Zero AIDS-related deaths.

“Zero New HIV Infections” and “Zero Discrimination” are equally as likely to spark high impact events
from small scale community vigils to nation wide events using the universally recognised shape of zeros
and the power of light to get life and death issues the attention they deserve.

As per reports of ART centre, BHU, out of nearly 14,000 HIV positive people registered with the centre
since its inception in 2005, around 5,000 HIV patients are receiving treatment at the centre. The low
figure is enough to baffle experts especially when the centre caters wide range of populations coming
from eastern UP along with neighbouring states of Bihar, MP, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand in the country.

“Now more than ever it is important that people get tested if they are at risk of being infected,”
said Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH director. “This is because people who test positive can be treated and
treatment is prevention. The drugs that are available today often reduce the levels of virus in the
blood to such low levels that they are unlikely to infect others.”