Events Planned For HIV/AIDS Awareness Month
The Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment will be observing HIV Awareness Month during the month of June.
“HIV Awareness Month is an opportunity to promote the vision of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS [UNAIDS] of “Getting to Zero: Zero New Infections, Zero Discrimination, Zero AIDS-related deaths”, the Ministry said.
“Given the preventable nature of HIV and advances in HIV/AIDS care, the Ministry believes that this vision is possible. There have been less than 10 new HIV infections reported each year for the past 5 years and the latest statistics estimate that there are approximately 300 persons living with HIV in Bermuda. It is important to note that this only includes persons that have been tested. Therefore, the Ministry is also encouraging persons to get tested and know their status.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] and the World Health Organization [WHO] have recommended that screening for HIV infection should be performed routinely for all persons engaging in sexual behaviours and at least annually for persons likely to be at increased risk of HIV.
“As free and confidential HIV testing is offered as usual Monday to Thursday at the Hamilton Health Centre, there will be two additional opportunities for HIV testing offered during the month of June.”
On Friday, June 12 between 12:30 and 2:00pm at Wesley Square [corner of Wesley and Church Street] in Hamilton mobile HIV testing will be available. The AIDS quilt will be on display and there will be entertainment and remarks from the Minister of Health Seniors and Environment Jeanne Atherden and Carol Armstrong of S.T.A.R.
On Monday June 29, HIV Testing Day [observed] the Hamilton Health Centre will be offering free and confidential HIV screening all day from 9:30am through 3:00 pm, with lunchtime testing available.
“The aim of HIV Testing Day is to promote HIV testing as a routine and responsible way of taking charge of one’s sexual health. The public is encouraged to get tested on this day and to discuss the importance of HIV testing with their friends, family members, colleagues, health care providers,” the Ministry said.
Also, during the month of June, persons are encouraged to wear selected items of red clothing [shoes, belts, shirts, etc.] and use the hashtag #RockRedBDA on social media to demonstrate their support of “Getting to Zero”.
Stores are invited to display posters and display red items to promote #RockRedBDA, nightclub establishments will be invited to place cling stickers on their mirrors to encourage people to get tested.
For more information, and for access to posters and cling stickers please email healthpromotion@gov.bm.
The Minister of Health, Seniors and Environment Jeanne Atherden said: “As we press toward the vision of Getting to Zero, we encourage the community to support the awareness activities and continue to have conversations about sexual health to continue the progress made in HIV prevention.”
Let’s get to zero! Discrimination needs to stop its the only way people won’t be afraid to get tested.