World AIDS Day take place on 1st December every year since 1988. AIDS Day is celebrated every year to raise awareness about AIDS. It is an opportunity for people world wide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS related illness. AIDS is the short form of 'Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome' , which means having a defective immune system. AIDS caused by the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) which is transmitted during blood transfusion or sexual intercourse. Inside the body the virus attaches itself to specific white blood cells, which are important for the body's immune system. Subsequently ' the virus penetrates these cells, destroys them, and produces new HIV viruses. Even minor illnesses like the common cold can assume serious proportions . There are medicines that can slow down the onset of AIDS , but none to completely cure it.
3 million people die of AIDS annually and an estimated 36.7 million people are living with HIV. The red ribbon is the global symbol for solidarity with HIV - positive people and those living with AIDS. World AIDS Day was first observed in August 1987 by James W Bunn and Thomas Netter. Bunn and Netter took their idea to Dr. Jonathan Mann , director of the Global programme on AIDS. Dr. Mann liked the concept and first AIDS day was observed on 1 December 1988. The joint united Nations programme on HIV/AIDS formed in1996,and it took over the planning and promotion of World AIDS Day. UNAIDS created World AIDS campaign in 1997 and in 2004 World Aids campaign became an independent organization. Every year , there has been a different theme , in the first two years , the theme was focused on children and young people. After 2008 each year's theme is chosen by the Global steering committee of the World AIDS campaign. The theme of 2020 World AIDS Day is 'Ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic: Resilience and impact' will be focused on creating global solidarity and providing resilient services.
0 Comments