DECEMBER-1 IS WORLD AIDS DAY

DECEMBER-1 IS WORLD AIDS DAY

The number of people dying due to HIV-AIDS has declined by nearly 0.4 million in the last five years due to improved healthcare, a UN report said Wednesday. However, it cautioned that a large number of people continue to be unaware about their HIV status.'The annual number of people dying from AIDS-related causes worldwide is steadily decreasing from a peak of 2.2 million in 2005 to an estimated 1.8 million in 2010. The number of people dying from AIDS-related causes began to decline in 2005-2006 in sub-Saharan Africa, south and southeast Asia and the Caribbean and has continued subsequently,' says the report by WHO, UNAIDS and UNICEF.

'At the end of 2010, an estimated 34 million people were living with HIV globally, including 3.4 million children below the age of 15. There were 2.7 million new HIV infections in 2010,' the report added.The report clearly points out that despite the access in services relating to care, support and treatment, people continue to be unaware about their HIV status.'Coverage of HIV testing and counselling among pregnant women rose from 8 percent in 2005 to 35 percent in 2010 as access to HIV testing and counselling is increasing. Nevertheless, majority of people living with HIV in low-and middle-income countries still do not know their serostatus,' the report mentioned.Serostatus refers to the presence or absence of specific substances in the blood serum. 'An estimated 7.5 million people are eligible for treatment but are not accessing anti-retroviral therapy because they are unaware of their HIV serostatus,' it added.

While the HIV-related mortality among children also came down in the last five years, the report presents a grim picture for children affected by HIV-AIDS.'For children, the situation is even graver, since less than one quarter of the children eligible for treatment are accessing antiretroviral therapy. In 2010, an estimated 2,50,000 children below the age of 15 died from AIDS-related causes, 20 percent less that the deaths in 2005,' it said.A three-fold increase in services for antiretroviral therapy (ART) across the globe was observed, showing a positive change for sustaining HIV positive patients.'The number of health facilities providing antiretroviral therapy, a key indicator of expanded health system capacity to deliver treatment, expanded from 7,700 in 2007 to 22,400 at the end of 2010, a threefold increase,' the UN report pointed out.According to the annual report, funding for HIV-related projects has decreased in various parts of the world.'Domestic and international HIV-specific funding has decreased from $15.9 billion in 2009 to $15 billion in 2010, well below the estimated $22-24 billion,' it noted.

     About 48 lakh people were living with HIV in Asia in 2010 and nearly half of them – 49 per cent to be precise – are in India, says the report released on the eve of World AIDS Day. The percentage of pregnant women who tested positive for HIV infection in India also rose from 2 per cent in 2005 t0 23 per cent in 2010. Seven Asian countries report an estimated 100,000 or more people living with HIV in 2009, collectively accounting for more than 90 per cent of people with HIV in the region. India tops the list followed by China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam, though the highest prevalence rate, one per cent, was observed only in Thailand. In Asia, the rate of HIV transmission appears to be slowing down. The estimated 360,000 people who were newly infected with HIV in Asia in 2010 were considerably fewer than the 450,000 estimated for 2001. Notwithstanding regional variations, the HIV epidemic is being stabilised among female sex workers and traditional risk groups in the six high-prevalence States including Karnataka. But epidemics among men who have sex with men are growing across the region including India.

High prevalence — between 8 and 32 per cent — has been found among surveyed men who have sex with men in many Asian cities. The UNAIDS report quotes one study, which shows that the prevalence is 18 per cent in South India. The report also says that 35 per cent of children with HIV infection were receiving anti-retroviral therapy treatment. Variation exists among commercial sex workers, with a 2009 survey showing HIV prevalence of 4.6 per cent among female sex workers in Mumbai and Thane and 24 per cent among street-based sex workers. The prevalence could be as high as 29 per cent among their brothel-based counterparts in some districts of Maharashtra. There is also evidence that prevention programmes are working in India. One such programme in Karnataka was associated with a drop in HIV prevalence from 25 per cent to 13 per cent among female sex workers in three selected districts between 2004 and 2009. A similar programme brought down the prevalence from 1.4 per cent to 0.8 per cent among young antenatal clinic attendees between 2004 and2008 in 18 districts. And yet another intervention programme in Mumbai and Thane led to a decline from 45 per cent HIV prevalence in 2004 to 13 per cent in 2010 among brothel-based sex workers.

   On the eve of the World AIDS Day Dec 1, the Kerala government Wednesday announced a monthly pension of Rs.520 for all those infected with HIV-AIDS.Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters that this was the first such scheme being implemented in the state. 'A monthly sum of Rs.400 would be given to each HIV-AIDS patient and in the case of the death of the patient it would be given to the immediate family member. Since these patients require frequent visits to hospitals for treatment, they would be given an extra Rs.120 for meeting their monthly travel expenses,' said Chandy. According to the Kerala State Aids Control Society (KSACS), there are 55,167 HIV-AIDS infected people in the state.The Palakkad district has the highest number of people with HIV, followed by Thrissur

  30 years after the first cases of HIV – the red ribbon is the universal symbol of awareness and support for those living with HIV. The red ribbon was the first ever ribbon symbol, inspiring later versions such as the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness.To make you sparkle this World AIDS Day, NAT has launched a limited edition sparkly red ribbon brooch.  The beautiful brooch - encrusted with eye-catching red crystals - is designed to be a long-lasting symbol of awareness and support, whilst being a modern, special approach to the traditional ribbon.  Perfect as a gift or treat for a loved one or yourself, the brooch is also available attractively boxed.  All proceeds from these stunning sparkly red ribbons go towards NAT's vital work - Shaping attitudes. Challenging injustice. Changing lives.  

In 1991 – a decade after the emergence of HIV – a group of 12 artists gathered to discuss a new project for Visual Aids; a New York arts organisation that raises awareness of HIV. They were photographers, painters, film makers and costume designers, and they sat around in the shared gallery space in New York's East Village.After a short brainstorm they had come up with a simple idea that later became one of the most recognised symbols of the decade - the red ribbon,worn to signify awareness and support for people living with HIV.When the artists sat down to work on this project, their aim was to get people talking about HIV. This was during a time where HIV was highly stigmatised and people living with HIV were suffering behind closed doors, some too scared to even tell their loved ones they were living with the virus. The artists wanted to create a visual expression of compassion for people living with, and affected by, HIV.

The artists were inspired by the yellow ribbons tied on trees to denote support for the US military fighting in the Gulf War. Pink and the rainbow colours were rejected because they were too closely associated with the gay community, and they wanted to convey that HIV went beyond the gay community and was relevant to everyone.Red was chosen as it is bold and visible – symbolising passion, a heart and love. The shape was chosen simply because it was easy to make and replicate – anyone can make one by just cutting out a piece of ribbon, looping it around your finger and pinning it on.

In the early days, the artists made the ribbons themselves and distributing them around the New York art scene and dropped them off at theatres. Initially there was a text that went with it, to explain why they were being worn, but eventually this was dropped as its symbolism no longer needed an explanation.Within weeks of the red ribbon idea being born, world-famous actors starting wearing the red ribbon to high-profile award ceremonies such as the Oscars and talking about why it was important. The media also cottoned on, and within a short space of time the red ribbon symbol became universally recognised.At the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert held at London's Wembley Stadium on Easter Sunday 1992, more than 100,000 red ribbons were distributed among the audience, with performers such as George Michael wearing one. The Red Ribbon continues to be a powerful force in the efforts to increase public awareness of HIV.

  The theme for World AIDS Day 2011 is 'Getting to Zero'. After 30 years of the global fight against HIV/AIDS, this year the global community has committed to focusing on achieving 3 targets: "Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths". In 2010, there were 2.7 million new HIV infections and 1.8 million people died from AIDS. Moreover, in 2011 people living with HIV were still subject to restrictions on their travel and/or stay in 47 countries, territories and areas. As AVERT.org shows, the global HIV epidemic is extremely diverse, with both similarities and differences between regions, countries, provinces and communities. However, in order to meet the challenge of 'Getting to Zero' the global community must work together to achieve UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO HIV PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND CARE. World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us - individuals, communities and political leaders - to take on the challenge of getting to zero.

The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.

The red ribbon started as a "grass roots" effort; as a result there is no one official AIDS ribbon manufacturer, and many people make their own. It's easily done - just use some ordinary red ribbon and a safety pin!

If you want to take your awareness raising a step further then try finding a local event to take part in. Around the world there are hundreds of activities taking place to mark World AIDS Day, including candlelight vigils, art shows, marches and religious services. If you can't find anything in your area then why not organise an event yourself?

                                                      Prof. John Kurakar