What is World AIDS Day all about? World AIDS Day is observed each year on 1 December to raise awareness and educate people about HIV/AIDS.
While this day has made a great impact on the drive towards HV/AIDS, there are still many people who don’t know much about the initiative. So, we’re here to answer a question many people have, which is, “What is World AIDS Day all about?”
Discover: Types of Diabetes: Your Questions Answered!
What is World AIDS Day All About?
Here are just a few ways the World AIDS Day initiative has made a difference:
- Raised funds for free testing and more readily accessible anti-retroviral (ARV) medication for HIV-positive patients.
- Spread awareness of the benefits and importance of ARV medication in extending the life of HIV-positive people.
- The stigma and discrimination surrounding the disease has been relieved.
- Establishing the 90-90-90 strategy and Access Equity Rights Now campaign – both with the objective of eradicating HIV/AIDS by 2030.
- Although constant efforts and the massive awareness gained from World AIDS Day have seen positive results, HIV/AIDS is still a very big problem, particularly in South Africa. Recent statistics have shown that South Africa still has the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS infections in the world.
Read this: Asthma: A Simple Guide to The Disease
How you can you celebrate World AIDS Day and help raise awareness
- Wear a red ribbon to commemorate those lost to AIDS, while reminding people of the cause.
- Know your status. Although it is important to educate others on HIV/AIDS, it is even more important that you know your own status. Knowledge is power, and an HIV diagnosis is not a death sentence. HIV-positive patients can live a long, healthy life with the right medical care, access to ARVs, and by making healthy, informed diet and lifestyle choices. All medical practitioners and almost all pharmacies offer HIV testing, often at a nominal cost or even with no cost at all.
- Practice safe sex. The most common cause of HIV infection is through unprotected sexual intercourse. Practice safe sex by using a condom every time you are intimate with someone.
- Visit the South African National AIDS Council online on sanac.org.za to find out more news and information on how the government and communities are working together to make a difference. The SANAC website also offers information on statistics, prevention and ways to get involved in HIV/AIDS awareness initiatives.
- Share helpful information on social media and with people you know – one of the best ways you can help stop the virus is to spread awareness.
- Help those living with HIV/AIDS. Find out if there are any local charities in your area that you can volunteer at. There are many World AIDS Day initiatives that include handing out free condoms, pop-up testing centres and educational campaigns in rural areas.
- Ensure that you can visit a doctor for regular checkups and have the medical care necessary to manage any illnesses or disease. Oneplan Health Insurance allows you to have access to comprehensive health cover from only R480pm with day-to-day claims paid UPFRONT BEFORE you visit the doctor!
Read next: 4 Tips for Choosing the Best Family Doctor Plus How You Can Afford It
Your Health Insurance Family,
Oneplan
