Celebration of this day eradicates discrimination against HIV patients.
World AIDS Day, first observed in 1988 and recognized as the first ever global health day, is a day that unites people across the world to fight against HIV, express support for those living with HIV, and enable commemoration of those who died from an AIDS-related illness. The day gives people an opportunity to solidarize with the many millions of people worldwide who live with HIV. Awareness of this day is mostly raised by the wearing of an HIV awareness ribbon.
Across the globe, an estimation of over 38 million people lives with the HIV virus. The emergence and identification of the virus since 1984 has led to the death of more than 35 million people, tagging it as one of the deadliest pandemics in the world’s history. In Nigeria, according to Statista Research Development in 2021, about 1.5 million people live with HIV, with women being the most affected group. Benue State was also said to have the highest HIV rate in the country.
2022 World AIDS Day aims at equalizing access to HIV services.
The theme of World AIDS Day 2022 is “Equalize” and would be commemorated on the annual December 1. World Health Organization (WHO) urges global leaders and citizens to publicly observe and take cognizance of the inequalities which are hindering progress in the eradication of AIDS and equalize access to important HIV services especially for children. These services are also made accessible to the major population, transgender people, drug addicts, sex workers and those in prison.
WHO promised a renewed focus on populations that have been neglected in the global response to HIV and AIDS. Currently, only 52 percent of all children living with HIV have access to life-saving treatment. Therefore, ensuring progress in eradicating newly emerging infections among children and making sure they are all on quality antiretrovirals (ARVs) would build stronger hope and would likely enable greater political commitment for the total elimination of AIDS in populations across the world by 2030.
Nigeria had the world’s second highest burden of HIV/AIDS in 2015.
According to UNICEF, Nigeria is rated to have the world’s second highest burden of HIV/AIDS with an estimation of 3 million people living with the virus in 2015 and almost 200,000 new infections. In 2015, approximately 260,000 children from age 0-14 were living with HIV in Nigeria with an emergence of 41,000 new infections amongst children and only 17 percent of these children having access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, to curb this situation, UNICEF supports the federal government’s vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by revitalizing Primary Health Care (PHC).
In the 2000s, HIV/AIDS was a major issue as an estimation of 7 million people in the country had the infection. The prevalence rate among adults from age 15-49 in 2008 was 3.9 percent; in 2018, the prevalence rate among adults aged 15-65 was 1.5 percent. Statistically, women were mostly affected by the infection. Also, the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) was the largest presented statistics which revealed that the total numbers were lower than expected.
ART helps prevent risk of transmitting HIV through sex.
The treatment for HIV is called antiretroviral therapy (ART) and involves daily taking of a combination of medicines known as HIV regimen. Although ART is unable to provide a complete cure, HIV patients are advised to begin taking these medicines as soon as possible as will help them live longer and healthier lives and reduces the risk of transmitting the virus. The treatment aims at reducing a positive patient’s viral load to an undetectable level as it helps them have low risk of transmitting HIV to their negative partner through sex.
Related Link
WHO: Website
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The number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and across the globe is very alarming but with the celebration of eradicating discrimination of the people living with the virus lots of great improvement can be archive in curbing the spread.
Over 38M people in the world live with HIV. That is too much oo, I wish if they will be permanent cure for it.
The number of people with HIV/AIDS is high people should be enlighten more well how not to get in affect and discrimination should not be allow my separate them from some benefit or act in equality with them
The number of HIV/AIDS patients in Nigeria and around the world is frightening, but celebrating the end of HIV/AIDS prejudice can help stop the spread.
Antiretroviral therapy, or ART, is the treatment for HIV, and it consists of taking a combination of medications on a daily basis. This is often referred to as an HIV regimen.
The week is a chance to show support for the millions of people around the world who are HIV positive. The most common way people show their support for this day is by donning an HIV awareness ribbon.
Access to critical HIV services, especially for children, is unequal around the world, and the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on world leaders and individuals to take notice.
One of the deadliest pandemics in human history, the virus has been on the rise since and has been successfully identified in more than a third of the world’s population.
Only a small percentage of children living with HIV have access to life-saving treatment at this time, but WHO has promised to refocus on populations that have been neglected in the global response to HIV and AIDS.
The hope and political commitment needed to end AIDS for good can be bolstered by focusing on children and making sure they have access to effective antiretroviral therapy.
Similar services are also made available to the general public, as well as persons who identify as transgender, are addicted to drugs, work in the sex industry, and are incarcerated.
Due to the large number of persons infected with HIV/AIDS, it is imperative that the general public be educated on how to avoid contracting the virus, and it is unacceptable to treat them differently because of their status as HIV-positive.
Inasmuch as there are a lot of people living with HIV/AIDS, they should also be given utmost care. The disease isn’t final judgement for death. It cans still be treated and with enough medications, the victims will be able to survive.
The eradication of discrimination against HIV person as really yielded success. The day is what celebrating.
The World Health Organization (WHO) implores world leaders and individuals to openly notice and recognize the disparities that are impeding the eradication of AIDS and ensuring that all people have equal access to critical HIV services, particularly for children.
It worth celebrating the HIV day inorder to remove discrimination amongst them. Some many have died of this dreadful disease. It is truly worth celebrating.
The goal of treatment is to lower a positive patient’s viral load to an undetectable level in order to lower their risk of sexually transmitting HIV to a negative partner. It appears that the spread of sex is more rapid.