The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

GETTING to zero new infections, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero stigma and discrimination is still the major goal for the Bahamas AIDS Foundation.

According to statistics released by the HIV/AIDS Centre, as of December 31, 2013, there were 13,082 HIV infected people in The Bahamas. From 1985 to 2013, there were 4,618 deaths and, as of the end of December 2013, 8,440 people in The Bahamas were living with HIV/AIDS.

While major breakthroughs and progress have been made in reducing the number of people who die or are infected with HIV/AIDS, due in large part to the work done by the AIDS Foundation, eradicating the disease will take an effort by the general public.

As today is recognised globally as World AIDS Day, the Bahamas AIDS Foundation is encouraging locals to show support and solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Wearing a red ribbon is one simple way to do this.

Celebrated every year on December 1, World Aids Day 2015 calls for expanding anti-retroviral therapy to all people living with HIV, the key to ending the Aids epidemic within a generation, according to the World Health Organisation. The day is also a way to demonstrate international solidarity for people living with HIV and to commemorate the spirit of those who have died battling the deadly disease.

The foundation is continuing with its initiatives to raise more awareness and educate people on the disease. The World AIDS Day Church service organised by the AIDS Resource Committee will be held today at St Matthews from 1pm to 2pm. The next event on the foundation’s calendar is Annual Fun/Run/Walk/Cycle event on December 5 at Goodman’s Bay. Start time is 6am.

Last night a candlelight vigil by the AIDS Foundation in partnership with the national HIV/AIDS Centre of the Ministry of Health was held at Fort Charlotte to commemorate those who have died from AIDS-related causes and remember those living with HIV and AIDS.

Last week the foundation in partnership the with Bahamas Red Cross held its ninth annual Human Ribbon. According to Lady Camille Barnett, 160 students from all levels, private and public schools participated in the forming the Human Ribbon on Goodman’s Bay. The students were addressed by Nurse Natasha Pennerman, from the Ministry of Health’s HIV Centre.

“The objective of this activity is to sensitise students to the fight against HIV and AIDS. Every year we identify a well known/easily recognisable venue to use for the Human Red Ribbon. Our goal remains the same: getting to zero, zero mother-to-child transmission, zero AIDS-related death and zero stigma and discrimination,” Lady Barnett said.

Lady Barnett also said a major focus for the foundation is ensuring that its adolescents’ outreach programme continues to operate effectively. Adolescents infected and affected by HIV/AIDS depend heavily on a special programme by the AIDS Foundation that provides them with a nurturing environment, a hot meal, peer support, counselling and even job preparation skills.