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"KEEP THE PROMISE"
The
Star (www.thestar.com.my)
(01/12/05)
EACH year on Dec 1, World AIDS Day is celebrated. This event, initiated by
the United Nations through UNAIDS, is organised around the world in an
attempt to raise awareness on the issues regarding HIV/AIDS. The first time
World AIDS Day was celebrated was in 1988, in a move to not only raise money
to help in the research of the disease, but also increase awareness and
educate people on the subject. World AIDS Day also speaks of fighting
prejudice against those who are living with HIV/AIDS. It is a way to remind
the world that HIV has not gone away, and there are still many things that
need to be done.
In consultation with various organisations, UNAIDS will choose a theme for
World AIDS Day each year. This year, the theme is Stop AIDS: Keep The
Promise. In the past, themes have focused on youth, women and men. Keep The
Promise is an appeal to governments and policy makers to ensure that they
keep their targets in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This theme is
important as the 3 By 5 Initiative came into effect at the beginning of the
year.
The Initiative was launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and
UNAIDS in 2003, with the support of many world governments. Under the plan,
it is expected that over three million people living with HIV/AIDS from
developing and transitional countries will be given access to
anti-retroviral treatment by the end of 2005.
The call now is for the public to hold their respective governments
responsible to their promise.
What is important is also one of the Millennium Development Goals, to which
all members of the UN has committed to, which is to have the spread of
HIV/AIDS halted by 2015. Only with the 3 By 5 Initiative having made
substantial progress will the leaders be able to achieve this goal.
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