1ST December is the world’s AIDS day all over the world. It’s a day to highlight the work done to eliminate the epidemic. It was first observed on December 1st, 1988 to bring greater awareness to HIV as well as commemorate those affected by the disease. The idea was brought up by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter in August 1988 who were both public information officers for the Global program of the World Health Organization. In the beginning, the day was on the theme of children and youth to bring greater awareness of the impact of AIDS on families.
The numbers keep rising day by day as per on those affected with HIV according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS its approximately 37.7 million people across the globe. In addition36 million are adults and 1.7 million are children aged 0-14 years. Women girls are the most affected here. Although there has been a decline of 31% and new infections as it recorded 1.5 new infections in 2020.
Uganda recognized its first positive HIV infection in 1982 in Rakai District and it was called “slim disease” until 1985 when it was recognized as AIDS. Uganda has 1.5 people leaving with HIV and 5.8% are adult HIV prevalence age 15-49, 53,000 new infections, and 21,000 AIDS-related deaths. About 85% of adults are on antiretroviral treatment and 65% children on children are on antiretroviral treatment.
The themes of World AIDS day have kept on changing day by day as they have mirrored the policy goals of public health authorities. These have ranged from awareness and education to the large objectives of the community and global cooperation. Let’s see how the themes have been designed over the years.
| Years | Theme |
| 1988 | Inaugural Event |
| 1989 | Our World, Our Lives- Let’s Take Care Of Each Other |
| 1990 | Women And Aids |
| 1991 | Sharing The Challenge |
| 1992 | Community Commitment |
| 1993 | Time To Act |
| 1994 | AIDS And The Family |
| 1995 | Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities |
| 1996 | One World. One Hope |
| 1997 | Children Living In A World With AIDS |
| 1998 | Forces Of Change: World Aids Campaign With Young People |
| 1999 | Listen, Learn, Live! World AIDS Campaign With Children & Young People |
| 2000 | AIDS: Men Make A Difference |
| 2001 | “I Care. Do You?” |
| 2002 | Live And Let Live: Stigma And Discrimination |
| 2003 | Live And Let Live: Stigma And Discrimination |
| 2004 | “Have You Me Today?” Women, Girls, HIV And AIDS. |
| 2005 | Stop AIDS. Keep The Promise |
| 2006 | Keep The Promise – Accountability |
| 2007 | Keep The Promise-Leadership “Take The Lead” |
| 2008 | Keep The Promise-“Lead, Empower, Deliver” |
| 2009 | Keep The Promise-Universal Access And Human Right |
| 2010 | Keep The Promise- Universal Access And Human Right |
| 2011 | Getting To Zero: Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination. Zero Related Deaths Aids- |
| 2012 | Getting To Zero: Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination. Zero Related Deaths Aids- |
| 2013 | Getting To Zero: Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination. Zero Related Deaths Aids- |
| 2014 | Getting To Zero: Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination. Zero Related Deaths Aids- |
| 2015 | Getting To Zero: Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination. Zero Related Deaths Aids- |
| 2016 | Access Equity Rights Now |
| 2017 | Increasing Impact Through Transparency, Accountability, And Partnerships |
| 2018 | Know Your Status |
| 2019 | Ending The HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Community By Community |
| 2020 | Ending The HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience And Impact |
The theme of WORLD AIDS DAY of 2021 is “End inequalities. End AIDS”. The theme is to especially focus on reaching people left behind. According to WHO (World Health Organization) and its partners are highlighting the growing inequalities in access to essential HIV services. Some countries have tried to fight against HIV/AIDS while other countries are falling behind. Before even the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic some many people or countries could not access HIV testing presentations and related care services. The pandemic has left many people with HIV infections vulnerable and it disreputes essential health care services.
Today the 1st of December, the World Health Organization is calling upon all the global leaders and the citizens to carry all the tools possible to rally out the inequalities that drive AIDS. It also calls to reach out to people in contrast not receiving essential HIV services.
In a nutshell, the fight is for all of us not for one person. HIV stigma has killed many people. Show support to those who are affected by drinking tea with them, hugging them, showing them that you care for them.
Get tested so that you can know your status. To reduce the risk use condoms, ensure that your partner who is living with HIV is taking treatment, and use PrEP to prevent getting HIV if you have ongoing risk. Choose to volunteer and do charities to help those living with HIV. Helping one another is all we can do. Under TUYAMBE Africa we aim at changing the lives of African communities through donations to help those affected with HIV/AIDS in partnership with LOVE UGANDA FOUNDATION and VOLUNTEERING IN UGANDA.
Let me leave you with a question “HAVE YOU TESTED FOR HIV/AID?” “DO YOU KNOW YOUR STATUS?”