World AIDS Day Proclamation Ceremony
Just before noon today [Dec.1] on steps of City Hall, Minister of Health Zane Desilva read the Official Proclamation to mark World AIDS Day.
The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day 2011 is ‘Getting to Zero’and achieving three targets: Zero new HIV infections; Zero discrimination; and Zero AIDS-related deaths.
From 1982 to 2010, over 700 persons were diagnosed with HIV in Bermuda. Seven were diagnosed at age 0-14 years and the result of mother to child transmission, 48 were diagnosed at age 15-24 years, 504 at age 25-44 years, 140 at age 45-64 years and 13 were diagnosed over the age of 65 years.
In Bermuda, it is estimated that there are 298 persons currently living with HIV/AIDS, the vast majority of which are aged 45-64 years. So far, in 2011, there have been reported five new HIV diagnoses [all infected through sexual contact], 0 new AIDS diagnoses and two deaths among persons with HIV/AIDS.
The Official Proclamation follows below:
WHEREAS
AIDS and HIV infections continue to have a global impact, with an estimated 33.4 million people, including 2.1 million children, living with AIDS or HIV infection, while over 25 million have died worldwide; and
WHEREAS
AIDS and HIV infection continues to be a priority health concern in Bermuda, with an average of 14 new HIV infections occurring annually from 2006 to 2010. In Bermuda, there have been 738 cases of HIV infection reported since 1982 and there are 298 persons currently known to be living with HIV; and
WHEREAS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has designated an independent organization, World AIDS Campaign, to oversee and unite global efforts to combat HIV and AIDS; and
WHEREAS
In recognition of the fact that impacting this global epidemic requires a renewed and unified worldwide and local effort, the World AIDS Campaign theme for World AIDS Day 2011, “Getting to Zero” aims to reduce new HIV infections, discrimination, and AIDS related deaths to zero; and
WHEREAS
The fight against HIV infection and AIDS will only be won through increased efforts and advances in HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care; and Bermudians are encouraged to educate themselves about the risks of HIV, know their HIV status through testing, get care if infected, and demonstrate compassion for those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.
Now, therefore I, the Hon. Zane DeSilva, JP, MP, Minister of Health, do hereby proclaim 1 December 2011 as
WORLD AIDS DAY
Given under my hand this day, the first day of December two thousand and eleven.
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