World leaders pledge to fight HIV

[struggle4progress]

Source: AFP

Published: Dec 01, 2008

... South Africans held a moment of silence at midday (1000 GMT) as a mark of respect for victims of the virus which has affected some 5.5 million people.

Speaking at a ceremony in the eastern port city of Durban, newly-appointed Health Minister Barbara Hogan urged men to overcome their traditional reluctance and voluntarily test for HIV.

"We encourage all men, I repeat all men, to test themselves for HIV to protect themselves and the people they love," Hogan said ...

In Johannesburg, the celebrated Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo also called for reducing the stigma still attached to the disease ... http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=896111

Read more: http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=896111

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Iran discloses number of HIV-infected citizens

TEHRAN, Iran: A top official of Iran's Health Ministry says the country has registered 18,320 Iranians infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS.

The official, Abbas Sedaqat, says that 69 percent of those infected were drug addicts who had used contaminated needles. He says that about 30 percent contracted the virus through "illegal sexual relations" — meaning through sexual contact with prostitutes.

Sedaqat's comments Monday are a rare admission by authorities that contacts with prostitutes have been partially responsible for AIDS in Iran.

The conservative Shiite country seldom discloses data about AIDS. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has denied the existence of homosexuals in Iran ... http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/12/01/news/ML-Iran-AIDS.php

World AIDS day parade in Hanoi

More than 3,500 people Sunday attended a meeting and a parade in Hanoi to mark 2008 World AIDS Day on December 1.


The Ministry of Health said more than 41,400 AIDS patients, 83 percent of whom are between 20 and 39 years old, have died since the first HIV/AIDS case was diagnosed in Vietnam in 1990.


Of the current 135,000 plus HIV-positive people in Vietnam, 17.8 percent are women.

The whole country has 203 clinics that provide medicine for AIDS patients and 220 clinics where AIDS patients can receive free treatment ... http://www.thanhniennews.com/healthy/?catid=8&newsid=44205

Dec 1, 2008 8:43 | Updated Dec 1, 2008 10:47
Israel marks international AIDS Day

... Since 1981, more than 5,300 cases of HIV were discovered in Israel. According to the Health Ministry, during that time approximately 1,100 people have died from the disease.

As of the end of 2007, 4,239 people were registered in the ministry as AIDS carriers, but the ministry estimates there are an additional 1,700 people carrying the virus who remain unregistered.

The Health Ministry took the opportunity on Monday to remind Israelis that HIV tests can be conducted with no charge in medical centers and AIDS treatment centers ...

The ministry noted a rise in the number of men who contracted the disease following same-sex intimate relations. In response to this statistic, the ministry announced that it will launch a campaign to battle the disease within the gay, lesbian, and transgender communities. The campaign will include giving out prophylactics in clubs and gay bars, as well as advertising in gay community papers and Web forums ... http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1227702380347&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

UN coordinator urges to eliminate discrimination against HIV patients
www.chinaview.cn 2008-11-30 23:41:05

BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- China should step up efforts to eliminate discrimination against HIV positive persons, Bernhard Schwartlander, UNAIDS China Country Coordinator said here on Sunday.

"The situation (of discrimination against HIV postive persons) is really a cause for concern," said Schwartlander during a publicity campaign organized by the Health Ministry, Red Cross Society of China, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) ...

Research shows that stigma and discrimination are still prevalent among the general public in China. A recent survey of more than 6,000 respondents in six Chinese cities showed that 30 percent of the respondents think children living with HIV should not be allowed to study at the same schools with other students.

It also finds that nearly 65 percent of the respondents were unwilling to stay in the same room with an HIV positive person, and 48 percent would be unwilling to have meal with HIV carriers ... http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/30/content_10436381.htm

Patna students call for more awareness on World AIDS Day
December 1st, 2008 - 3:21 pm ICT by ANI

Patna, Dec.1 (ANI):Students in Bihar capital Patna city on Monday took out rally to mark World AIDS Day, and called for generating more awareness to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

Holding banners and placards on AIDS awareness, college students said they were doing their bit to check the spread of the disease in the country.

“The main intension is to spread awareness about AIDS as awareness about the disease can prevent it,” said Preeti, a student ...

AIDS is a serious problem in India. About 2.5 million people are infected with HIV. The first AIDS case in India was detected in 1986 ... http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/patna-students-call-for-more-awareness-on-world-aids-day_100125709.html

Indonesia criticized for inefficient AIDS campaigns
by Pragati Khond - December 1, 2008

Jakarata, Indonesia: Even as the world observes "World AIDS Day" today, Indonesian population is seen struggling with the government's unproductive outlook towards HIV, with the figures swelling each year. Recently, the government was criticized for its unworthy operations related to AIDS campaigns and has been asked to incorporate changes.

Samsuridjal Djauzi , chairman of the Association of Indonesian Physicians Concerned about HIV/AIDS, commented on the inefficiency of the government programs that aimed at promoting behavioral change.

Recent figures of HIV affected population in Indonesia are more than double from what were in 2002 - from120,000 to 270,000, says the association. The association explains that the Health Ministry figures are quite lesser than these, with an approximated death rate of 20 percent.

According to Samsuridjal, infected individuals are not aware of the gravity of the condition."The National AIDS Commission has so far focused only on campaigns for behavioral changes, like promoting condom use or safe sex and avoiding needle sharing among drug users", he said ... http://www.themoneytimes.com/articles/20081201/indonesia_criticised_for_inefficient_aids_campaigns-id-1043123.html

World Aids Day in Spain
By h.b. - Dec 1, 2008 - 7:37 AM

http://www.typicallyspanish.com.nyud.net:8090/spain/uploads/2/aidsvigil20minutos.jpg

30 percent of HIV+ people in Spain do not know they are carrying the Aids virus according to latest estimates.
There are 150,000 people who are HIV+ in Spain.

Today is World Aids Day, and to coincide with the date the Spanish Ministry for Health has launched a new campaign to promote the use of condoms and to encourage people to take an HIV test if they have had unsafe sex.

The Red Cross has launched a separate initiative, working to stop discrimination against those infected. They too are encouraging youngsters to get information for their own safety.

Gay and Lesbian groups are organising several rallies and other events across the country to mark the date today ... http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_19086.shtml

Uganda’s HIV-Infection Rate May Climb 30% by 2012, Group Says
By Fred Ojambo

Dec. 1 (Bloomberg) -- HIV infections in Uganda may increase 30 percent by 2012 because of complacency about the virus, the Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations said.

The number of people infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, may climb to 1.3 million people by 2012, from 1 million now, the Kampala-based group said in a statement published in the New Vision newspaper today to mark World AIDS Day.

The east African country, where a million people have died from AIDS in the past 25 years, registers 100,000 new HIV infections annually, the Health Ministry said in a separate statement in the newspaper. Out of every 100,000 babies born in the country, 25,000 of them are infected with the virus, it said.

While the prevalence of HIV in the country dropped to 6.4 percent among adults in 2004-05 from 18 percent in 1992, the high rate of new infections is of “great concern” to the country, the ministry said ... http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=aDchODScP88c&refer=africa

AIDS: Prognosis for the epidemic in Latin America, the Caribbean
published: Monday | December 1, 2008
Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com.nyud.net:8090/gleaner/20081201/flair/images/FLleft_1_PAT5NcoAIDSConAM.jpg
A transvestite prepares to show alternative ways of using a condom during an event around the 17th International AIDS Conference in Mexico City on August 5

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081201/flair/flair2.html

Jamaican youths urged to take lead in dealing with HIV/AIDS
published: Monday | December 1, 2008

Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

With today's commemoration of World AIDS Day, Jamaican youth are being urged to take the lead in keeping HIV/AIDS issues on the public agenda and sex out of the schools.

Data from the Ministry of Health and Environment have revealed that AIDS is the second leading cause of death for youths between the ages of 15 and 24.

"Youth in school and out of school are called upon to champion the cause by example. Schools are no-sex zones and the National HIV/STI Programme (NHP) calls on youth to keep and promote schools as no-sex zones," Rudyard Spencer, minister of health and environment, said in his World AIDS Day message.

He added: "Youth need to become peer champions of change to get their sexually active peers to abstain from risky sexual practices, such as engaging in unprotected sex ... http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081201/lead/lead2.html"

HIV/AIDS activists to take to the streets of Turkey

... Ministry of Health figures show that there are 3,170 people who are HIV-positive in Turkey, but it is estimated that the number is higher. For the whole of 2007, approximately 200 people were diagnosed with HIV, but for the first half of 2008 it has spread to another 250 people, according to information collected by the Positive Life Association (PYD).

"We, as people who are HIV-positive, their relatives, activists fighting against HIV/AIDS, women's organizations, youth organizations, doctors, artists, representatives of the private sector, volunteers and residents of Beyoğlu, are going out on the streets on Dec. 1, to say that HIV/AIDS is the problem of men, women, young people, teachers, policeman, housewives, businessmen and grocers, in short, all of us," the PHD declared.

The first HIV case in Turkey occurred in 1985 and for a long time was perceived as a disease afflicting homosexuals. Turkish society still does not have enough information about HIV/AIDS, according to Nejat Ünlü, the chairman of the PYD.

"In order to estimate a more accurate number of those who are HIV-positive, the World Health Organization suggests multiplying the reported numbers by at least eight for developing countries, such as Turkey. This means that the real number in Turkey is around 20,000, with most of them are not aware of the fact that they are HIV-positive," Ünlü underlined in an interview to the Anatolia news agency ... http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=160274&bolum=101

HIV/AIDS victims continue to bear stigma
By : June Ramli

KUALA LUMPUR: People with HIV/AIDS are still affected by the stigma attached to the disease, Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said yesterday ...

"They (healthcare workers) are the worst culprits. There are private hospitals that refused to accept expectant mothers who have AIDS and doctors who refused to do surgery," she said at a press conference after launching World AIDS Day at Berjaya Times Square yesterday ...

Dr Adeeba said she once had a patient with AIDS and her employer was unsure what to do when they found out about her condition.

"We held meetings and finally they agreed to keep her after much persuasion but the problem did not end there. Her co-workers refused to eat or talk with her" ... http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2416209/Article/index_html

Singapore
Dec 1, 2008
Treat HIV like other diseases
Sufferers also deserve subsidies on drugs that help them live normally
By Salma Khalik , HEALTH CORRESPONDENT

MORE than two decades ago, the first acquired immune deficiency syndrome (Aids) patient was diagnosed here.

Since then, close to 4,000 people have been diagnosed as infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the precursor to Aids.

In spite of all that has been done to contain its spread, the number of new infections grows each year. In 1997, there were 173 new cases. Last year, the figure had more than doubled to 423. The number this year will be higher still.

More than two in three are diagnosed when they are 50 years old or younger - in other words, while still in their prime and with many years of working life left ... http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_308873.html

Know your HIV status, urges Govt
Updated 16 hr(s) 56 min(s) ago
By Standard Team

As the country marks the World Aids Day today, the Government is warning that nearly two-thirds of Kenyans have never been tested for HIV, and may thus not access appropriate services for prevention, care and treatment.

Public Health Minister Beth Mugo said yesterday that more up to 80 per cent of Kenyans do not know their HIV status. And more than a million infected Kenyan do not know they are HIV-positive.

Testing is particularly low among the 50-64 age group, of whom only 17.5 per cent know their HIV status.

Although 1.4 million Kenyans are infected, about 80 per cent of those who are HIV-positive do not know their status ... http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144000580&cid=4

Seychelles-World-Aids-Day
Seychellois health minister calls for behaviour change on World AIDS Day

APA - Victoria (Seychelles) The Seychelles Minister for Health and Social Development Marie-Pierre Lloyd on Monday urged the Seychellois population to work harder to achieve a change in the behaviour of those people who risk being contaminated by HIV/AIDS, APA learns in the Seychellois capital Victoria.

In her message to the population released in Victoria on Monday on the occasion of the commemoration of the 21st World Aids Day, Minister Lloyd states that since January 2008, 36 new cases of HIV have been detected in the islands and by the end of October 2008, the country has registered 367 HIV cases and 145 cases of full blown AIDS.

Out of this number, she said 73 people have already died of the disease. Lloyd observed that it is especially the youth that is the most vulnerable group and that if the epidemic is not stopped now, some 18, 000 Seychellois, that is almost 25% of the population, risk being contaminated by HIV in 2010.

Also the minister pointed out that compared to other islands in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles holds the dubious record of having the highest percentage of HIV infected cases in the age group 15-49 year olds ... http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=81925

Namibia Joins World Mark AIDS Day - by Petronella Sibeenes
01 December 2008

WINDHOEK – ... President Hifikepunye Pohamba is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo, where the main event is scheduled to take place.

This year, the day would be commemorated under the theme: “Leadership for Prevention”, with the country’s slogan being “Zero tolerance for new HIV infections among the youth”.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, told New Era yesterday that he is impressed with Namibia’s collective journey to conquering HIV/AIDS.

He gave an example of the 1992 Sentinel Health Survey results that showed the prevalence rate among pregnant women at 4.2 percent but in 2002 it shot to 22 percent, a situation the minister described as worrying ... http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=1121

ZHUL-HAJJ 4, 1429 A.H.
MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2008
By RABI A. BATURE

HIV/AIDS is one of the important medical and developmental crises currently facing the developing world. Kano state commissioner of health, Malam Aishatu Isiyaku Kiru, made this known at a press briefing on the 2008 World AIDS Day, held at the conference hall of the ministry.

According to her, over 33 million people have already died from the disease, while over 70 per cent of those infected are living in the Sub-Saharan Africa, pointing out that since the first case of the disease was diagnosed in Nigeria in 1986, it has been spreading at an alarming rate.

Kiru stated that, currently there are more than 2.9 million Nigerians living with the virus, while the epidemic has already killed 1.7 million Nigerians, with about 1.5 million children orphaned, adding that the prevalence rate of the disease in Kano stands at about 3.4 per cent going by the 2005 HIV/AIDS zero-prevalence survey, saying that in absolute number about 150,000 people are infected ... http://www.triumphnewspapers.com/33m1122008.html

The TB-HIV crisis
By Lucy Chesire
December 1, 2008

OVER the past two decades, the fight against HIV/AIDS has united the world as few other issues have before. As a result of the extraordinary efforts of scientists, activists, and world leaders, AIDS has gone from being a certain death sentence in most parts of the world to a treatable chronic condition. Much remains to be done, but the progress has been nothing short of remarkable.

Which is why it is unacceptable that we are allowing 25 years of progress to crumble before our eyes. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among people with HIV, and years of neglect have allowed it to become deadlier than ever, especially in those areas most ravaged by AIDS. By neglecting TB, we risk undoing some of the greatest achievements in global health activism.

One reason TB funding has languished is that in many developed countries it is regarded as a disease of the past. Some of those fortunate enough to have quality healthcare are surprised to hear that TB even still exists. But every year, 1.7 million people die from TB, and 9 million more are infected annually. Those who are most susceptible live in the poorest regions of the world, and those with compromised immune systems, like HIV/AIDS patients, are especially prone to catching TB.

As a TB-HIV survivor, I am one of the fortunate ones. After eight years of living with HIV/AIDS, I contracted a severe case of tuberculosis. My treatment required multiple surgeries and months in a hospital. I was lucky to have access to treatment. But there are many who do not have the same opportunity ... http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/12/01/the_tb_hiv_crisis/

Disease still ravaging black community
December 1, 2008
By Karen Snelling

Post-Tribune staff writer
It's been 14 years since Gloria Manamela learned she was HIV?positive. It was a shocking discovery that left her angry, scared and depressed.

Living in Pittsburgh at the time, Manamela contracted HIV in 1994 after having unprotected sex with a man she dated for six months after separating from her husband. When she found out she'd been infected, Manamela was devastated.

"I never used drugs. I wasn't promiscuous. I didn't fit the stereotype of AIDS," said Manamela, who moved to Northwest Indiana six years ago and has since become an outspoken AIDS?education advocate ... http://www.post-trib.com/news/1307110,worldaidsday.article

Maria Elena Salinas: We need to confront Latino AIDS issue
Published: Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008 | Page 5E

You don't hear about the AIDS epidemic as much as you used to. In the 1980s, the discovery that the disease was a real threat to humanity led to alarming headlines around the globe. There was both fear of the unexplainable illness and a stigma toward those most at risk of contracting the disease.

People don't talk about AIDS anymore, and many treat the disease like one that happens to "other" people. But don't be fooled – AIDS has not gone away.

Around the world, there are an estimated 33.2 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. Almost half of those infected with the virus get it before they are 25 and die before they are 35.

It was 20 years ago that the World Health Organization declared Dec. 1 as World AIDS Day. The intention was to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, and to encourage the development of education and prevention programs. So here we are, two decades later, and although treatment for AIDS has improved, there still are too many patients who don't have access to it – and even worse, there are far too many who have been exposed to it and don't even know it ... http://www.sacbee.com/325/story/1434652.html

[Deja Q]

1. Think globally, act locally.

Treat your partner as a human being and not an object or receptacle.

Hold some restraint; it's not "repression" to keep one's zipper up.

Of course, abstinence doesn't work and who cares why, just cheat. It's human nature and we're a sexual species, so let's not even care - until the doctor comes up a with a pill and then everyone can get cynical and say "There is no money in a cure!"

[struggle4progress]

2. Frankly, I can never figure out what you're saying, Hypno. But these

events give me great hope that the world can work together, across political and ideological divides, for solutions to problems that plague humans everywhere

Of course, success will require us to listen to others, to try to understand their perspectives, and temporarily to set aside substantial differences in the effort to achieve a common good, but the AIDS Day coverage suggests it is possible