World AIDS Day

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been advocating several health programs around the globe. Its objective of public awareness is its primary concern. Educational drives have been made thru several agencies like both government and health officials, non-government organizations and individuals around the world, come together to promote one mission: awareness of the World Aids Day.

World Aids Day was first conceived sometime August 1987 by two public information officers from the Global Program on AIDS in the World Health Organization. It was further approved by Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Program on AIDS, and agreed with the recommendations that the first observance of World Aids Day would be on December 1, 1988.

Designated December 1 since 1988, it slowly gained popularity and was accepted widely by many organizations with the dedication to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic which was caused by the widespread HIV infection. As of 2013, the presence of AIDS globally claimed more than 36 million lives, and at present, infecting atleast another 35 million individuals with HIV.

The increasing epidemiological statistics with HIV also brings concerns to our country especially our region. According to local statistical data, sometime September of 2014 alone, a total of 565 cases have been reported. 510 individuals from that number are being classified HIV, 55 of which already having AIDS. 530 individuals coming from the male group and 35 individuals from the female group. The city alone harbors 97% of such cases as compared to the neighboring regions which only has the remaining 1-3%.

By now, everybody will be wondering… As citizens of this city and country, what will be next for us? What will happen to us if the trend of such increasing statistical data will still continue? Thanks to those advocates who untiringly and unselfishly devote their time and effort to bring out even just the simplest explanation, could bring about drastic change in those numbers!