Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

SAYING NO SHOULD BE AN OPTION

Dec 17, 2015 Editorial, Features / Columnists

In Guyana, AIDS continues to take the lives of many. In 1988, the United Nations declared December 1, as World AIDS Day. On this day, people around the world pay tribute to all those who have lost their lives to AIDS. They pledge to renew their resolve to eliminate the disease once and for all.
World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all to focus on the epidemic, raise awareness of HIV, show solidarity with those living with HIV/AIDS and celebrate their survival.
Many have associated the day with the red ribbon; an instantly recognizable symbol. Wearing a red ribbon is one way to show support, but there are also many other ways in which one can get involved. Several world leaders have pledged to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their respective countries by the year 2030, as part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. They have adopted the theme “Getting to Zero.”
The 2030 goal may sound like a pipedream, but everyone should take note of the progress made in the last twenty-five years to reduce the HIV/AIDS virus. This ambitious yet wholly attainable goal represents an unparalleled opportunity to change the course of history forever, something this generation must do for future generations.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has stated that the window of opportunity to act is closing, and the world leaders must adopt the fast-track approach to front-load investments to eradicate this dreadful disease.
Despite the large number of national and international agencies involved in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, the virus continues to be a death sentence for millions around the world.  As of 2013, HIV/AIDS has killed more than 36 million people worldwide (1981-2012), and an estimated 35.3 million people are living with HIV, making it one of the most deadly global public health problems in recorded history.
Despite easier access to antiretroviral treatment in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic continues to claim an estimated 2 million lives each year, of which about 270,000 are children.
In the Caribbean, the new infections of the HIV/AIDS virus have declined sharply. In 2014, there were about 280,000 people living with HIV in the Caribbean with an estimated 13,000 new HIV infections each year. However, new infections have declined by more than 50 percent between 2000 and 2014.
Some 8,800 people have died of AIDS-related causes in that period, a decline by 50 percent compared to the period 1988 and 2000. Although AIDS infections and related deaths have declined in Haiti, yet that country accounted for about half of 8,800 AIDS-related deaths in the region.
In Guyana, the first HIV/AIDS case was discovered in 1987, but by 2004, there was an estimated 18,000 to 20,000 people, aged 0 to 49 years living with HIV/AIDS. In that period, Guyana had one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV infections in Latin America and the Caribbean, second only to Haiti.
Since then, HIV/AIDS has declined by more than half to 9,700 in 2014, with women accounting for 5,400. Today, approximately 500 children aged 0 to 14 years are infected with HIV, most of which were transmitted to them by their mothers at birth.
However, the primary mode of HIV/AIDS transmission in Guyana is through heterosexual means. Less than 15 percent of all HIV cases are transmitted by other means. Based on data from the Ministry of Health, about 200 persons died from AIDS in 2014 and there were 751 new cases reported that year.
HIV/AIDS is no longer a serious threat to the nation but the fear of testing due largely to being stigmatized and discriminated against remains a major problem.
Education should also be provided to the general public about the consequences of discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients. Complacency and or discrimination could lead to the HIV/AIDS rebounding.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with GFF for Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with GFF for Maid Marian Wheat Up...

Nov 29, 2024

  (GFF) — Guyana Beverages Inc (GBI) in an effort to contribute to the development of women’s football has partnered with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) as a sponsor of the Maid Marian...
Read More
GFF provides support to EBFA U14 Boys’ League

GFF provides support to EBFA U14 Boys’ League

Nov 29, 2024

Athletics scores big at NSC National Sports Awards

Athletics scores big at NSC National Sports

Nov 29, 2024

St. Theresa’s Primary triumph in Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ National Finals

St. Theresa’s Primary triumph in Republic Bank...

Nov 29, 2024

Wakenaam Masters to face Parika Defenders in T20 softball affair on Saturday night

Wakenaam Masters to face Parika Defenders in T20...

Nov 29, 2024

Bakewell supports Kashif and Shanghai Futsal tourney

Bakewell supports Kashif and Shanghai Futsal...

Nov 28, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]