Every year on December 1, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. World AIDS day is a day for people to unite and show support for people living with HIV and also to remember those lost to AIDS-related illnesses. World AIDS Day was first designated in August 1988 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter who were public information officers for the AIDS Global Program of the World Health Organisation.
Every year this day is observed and focused on a theme. This year’s focus will be Equalize . UNAIDS is urging each of us to address the inequalities which are holding back progress in ending AIDS. The “Equalize” slogan is a call to action.
HIV is considered as one of the biggest global public health problems. As per reports around 40.1 million people have lost their lives because of AIDS, which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). At the end of 2021, there were 38.4 million HIV-positive individuals worldwide, with 25.6 million of them living in the African Region.
According to HIV.gov , approximately 85% of people worldwide with HIV knew their HIV status in 2021. The remaining 15% (about 5.9 million people) did not know they had HIV and still needed access to HIV testing services. HIV testing is an essential gateway to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services.
Since there is no cure for HIV/ AIDS so prevention is better than cure since prevention is the best way to stay protected against this Infectious disease . Make sure to use a disposable Syringe during blood transfusion or whenever required. Health experts insist upon using protection during intercourse and also to get tested for HIV before planning a family.
As per NACO HIV Estimation Report 2021, Assam has an estimate of 25,073 people living with HIV (PLHIV).
And out of the 25,073 PLHIV, 45 per cent are female and three per cent are children, it said. The HIV prevalence rate in Assam is 0.09 per cent, lower than the national prevalence rate of 0.21 per cent according to Assam State AIDS Control Society(ASACS).
According to further reports , Kamrup (Metropolitan) district has the highest number of cases at 7,610, followed by Cachar with 5,200, Nagaon 1,602 and Dibrugarh 1,402.
The transmission in Assam has been triggered by 81.63 per cent is through intercourse between heterosexuals, 5.54 per cent is through HIV-infected syringe and needles, parent to child is 4.76 per cent, homosexual route is 4.61 per cent, 0.85 per cent through blood transfusions and while 2.61 is not specified.
Today on this day, World AIDS Day is being observed across Assam with different awareness activities like rallies, public meetings and various other activities.
A central event has been organized by the state Health department at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) where Minister for Health and Family Welfare Keshab Mahanta launched ten Opioid Substitution Therapy (OPD-OST) Dispensing Centres for district hospitals across Assam.
Besides renowned swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika flagged off a rally at GMCH auditorium complex with students from different colleges and various institutions, NGOs and other stakeholders participating.
