World AIDS Day is being observed today to raise public awareness about Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS. The theme this year is ‘Ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic: resilience and impact.’
The day also provides an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV and to show support for those living with HIV.
WHO said, the global HIV epidemic is not over and may be accelerating during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a devastating impact on communities and countries. In 2019, there were 38 million people living with HIV infection. In 2019, 6 lakh 90 thousand people died from HIV-related causes and 1.7 million people were newly infected. On World AIDS Day 2020, WHO has called upon global leaders and citizens to rally for global solidarity to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19 on the HIV response.
Since the inception of the National AIDS Control Programme in 1992, India has done a commendable job in raising awareness and bringing down the number of HIV infections. India is a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and has committed itself to achieving the target of ending the epidemic of AIDS by 2030.
In an exclusive interview to All India Radio, the UN-AIDS country Director, India Dr. Bilali Camara praised the role of India in AIDS prevention and control and underlined the priorities in the years to come.
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