World AIDS Day marked worldwide

World AIDS day, observed on December 1st every year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and to mourn those who have died of the disease.

Government and health officials, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world observe the day, often with education on AIDS prevention and control.

Today the world is celebrating this historic day on the theme “Getting to Zero”; meaning people as many as possible must know their HIV status and persons living with HIV must be on effective and uninterrupted treatment.

A statistics by amfAR shows that in 2013 alone, an estimated 2.1 million people were nearly infected with HIV; 240,000 were under the age of 15 with 1.5 million people dying from AIDS.

Further research also indicates that everyday more than 5,700 people contract HIV, nearly 240 every hour.

In a press release by the Ghana AIDS commission, Ghana has chosen a sub theme “Ghana towards an HIV free generation through Prevention of Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV, Safe Sex and Stigma Reduction”.

The country will On Tuesday, November 4, 2014 launch its World AIDS Day 2014 at the Mandela Park, Ashaiman, Tema to commence a month long period of activities to commemorate the day.

The HIV/AIDS elimination in Ghana seems to be progressing rapidly with the intense education and prevention campaign by Government and Ghana AIDS Commission.

The Government of Ghana and Ghana AIDS Commission estimated the number of adults and children living with HIV as of 2014 at 150,000 and prevalence at 0.8% in 2014.

The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimated the HIV prevalence in adults to be 0.9% at the end of 2012, with an estimated 200,000 people living with HIV/AIDS.

However, individuals, religious societies, traditional rulers, nongovernmental organizations are urged to work together to ensure a massive reduction in AIDS related deaths and help spread the campaign of “Getting to Zero”.