AIDS is a disease which is caused by the HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) virus. Full form of AIDS is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. this disease causes immune system weak and people are more vulnerable to infections and diseases. Do you know where HIV ius found in the body? It is found in all the tissues of the body but transmitted through the body fluid of an infected person via blood, semen, breast milk etc. It mainly attck the T-cells in the immune system. HIV is transmitted throygh sexual contact, blood transmission, perinatal transmission. Symptoms may include fever, joint pain, muscle aches, sore throat, tiredness, weakness, unintentional weight loss etc. As we know to generate awareness among the masses Worlds AIDS Day is celebrated every year on 1 December. This article deals with the History of celebrating Worlds AIDS day, what is the theme of 2017 etc.
History of World AIDS Day
The history of World AIDS Day dates back to the year 1987. This day was conceived by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS. These officers worked for the World Health Organization in the Global Programme on AIDS
James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter took their proposal for World AIDS Day to the director of the Global Programme on AIDS Jonathan Mann who liked the idea. Since then, he recommended the fist World AIDS day to be commenced on December 1, 1988.
United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, abbreviated to UNAIDS came into existence in 1996 and then World AIDS day was organized. Various themes were structured that was proposed as one of the major changes in organizing Worlds AIDS Day.
The history of World AIDS Day dates back to the year 1987. This day was conceived by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS. These officers worked for the World Health Organization in the Global Programme on AIDS. James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter took their proposal for World AIDS Day to the director of the Global Programme on AIDS Jonathan Mann who liked the idea. Since then, he recommended the fist World AIDS day to be commenced on December 1, 1988. United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, abbreviated to UNAIDS came into existence in 1996 and then World AIDS day was organized. Various themes were structured that was proposed as one of the major changes in organizing Worlds AIDS Day.
World AIDS Theme
- The theme of the year 2010 was “Universal Access and Human Rights”.
- The theme from the year 2011 to 2015 was "“Getting to zero: zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths”.
- The theme of the year 2016 was " "Hands up for HIV ptotection: Acess Equity Right Now"
- The theme of the year 2017 is "Right to health
Objectives of World AIDS Day
The main purpose of celebrating World AIDS day every year is to build new and effective policies and programmes to strengthen the systems of health and also to increase the capacity of health sectors towards HIV or AIDS.
- To guide member states for increasing the prevention and control measures for HIV or AIDS globally.
- To make awareness among the people about antiretroviral medicines which can help them to fight against HIV infection.
- To offer a technical support to the member states for implementing the plan for prevention, treatment for HIV or AIDS which will include testing, councelling, antiretroviral therapy etc.
- To encourage students from schools, colleges to contribute in the campaign organised for AIDS.
- to decrease the number of patients infected by HIV or AIDS.
From the above article we have seen what is AIDS/ HIV infection. How it is affecting people life, what is the purpose of celebrating World AIDS Day or why it is celebrated every year etc.
