Latest update February 22nd, 2025 5:49 AM
Latest News
- $277.9M Mabaruma Magistrates’ Court commissioned at Mabaruma
- Min. Indar scolds contractors over unsanctioned works days after VP Jagdeo called out ministry’s shoddy management of construction sites
- White House expects Ukraine to sign critical minerals deal soon
- Simplify cash grant distribution processes
- Peacemaker chopped after intervening in argument
World AIDS Day launched in Region Three with candlelight walk
By Sharmain Cornette
The candlelight walkers heading to the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling
It may not have been the best attended event but the message of reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS was adequately presented Friday evening when the Region Three Regional AIDS Committee (RAC) held its annual Candlelight Walk.
The event which comes as a prelude to World AIDS Day, slated to be observed globally on Tuesday, represents the second activity the Region has undertaken as part of its quest to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. A schools’ Rally was held at the Wales Community Centre Ground last week Tuesday and another is scheduled for Tuesday at the Leonora Market Square, an event which will represent the Region’s official observance of the solemn day.
World AIDS Day (December 1) is a day where millions of people worldwide celebrate the day by providing support for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS even as efforts are made to sensitise and educate the general populace to help curb the spread of HIV/AIDS.
As a global lead up to the day, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the World AIDS Campaign, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) had come together to announce the theme ‘Universal Access and Human Rights’.
The theme has been chosen to address the critical need to protect human rights and attain access for all to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. It also acts as a call to countries to remove laws that discriminate against people living with HIV, women and marginalised groups. Countries are also urged to realise the many commitments they made to protect human rights in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS (2001) and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS (2006).
And it was in the quest to embrace the importance of World AIDS Day that the members of the RAC have continued to dedicate their time and efforts towards enlightening the public of the fact that they too can help in the Health Ministry’s quest to reduce the scourge of the deadly virus.
According to RAC Chairperson, Nurse Jean Bhagmania, each member of the committee had a role in streamlining the activities that have been planned for the observance of World AIDS Day.
Friday’s Candlelight Walk saw torchlight-flashing participants, who were drawn from the West Demerara Regional Hospital and the Leonora Diagnostic Centre, among other supporters, vibrantly traversing the stipulated route even as they chanted slogans of how to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
The walk kicked off around 18:00 hours from two venues – the Crane Turn, West Coast Demerara and at Versailles, West Bank Demerara – and culminated at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling.
In brief remarks, health officials and representatives of other entities offered their continued support to raising awareness with the view of putting an end to stigma and discrimination attached to the virus.
The significance of the candlelight walk was therefore to amplify the fact that there is yet hope in the fight against the disease.
But according to Esan Crandon, a RAC member, many young people continue to live reckless lives, a trend that must be reversed at all cost. According to Crandon, through the RAC, efforts have already been engaged to help guide youths and to help curb the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
A flawed interpretation of international law
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News – The assertion that “under international law, Venezuela is responsible for... more
CARICOM Nations Should Respond Together To new U.S. Policies
By Sir Ronald Sanders Ambassador to the US and the OAS, Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News-Two Executive Orders issued by U.S.... more
Weekend Cartoon
