Dear Editor
Dec. 1 marks World AIDS Day and starts the beginning of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness week. This day, in its 26th year, is to honour those living with HIV and those who have died as a result of having HIV as well as to bring awareness about AIDS and the spread of the HIV virus.
Many people continue to think this isn't something that affects them and pay little attention to the matter. Think that is the case? Then consider these numbers:
Saskatchewan currently has the highest rates of new HIV cases in Canada, with 17 per 100,000 (PHAC, 2012) new cases.
One in four people are unaware they have HIV.
There are about 73,000 people living with HIV in Canada.
75 million people have been infected with HIV in the world (WHO, 2014).
35.3 million people live with HIV in the world, which is close to the same number of people living in Canada (WHO, 2014).
1.6 million people died in 2012 from HIV (WHO, 2014).
One of the main drivers of HIV and AIDS continues to be the stigma and discrimination that is tied to having HIV/AIDS or being perceived to have HIV/AIDS. People living with HIV continue to be pushed to the outside of society and are assaulted, evicted, abused and mistreated by family, friends and professionals. This maltreatment continues to push the transmission of the virus further as people with HIV feel the need to retreat from society. Stigma and discrimination exists at all levels including individuals, but also within government and its policies, institutions and from professionals.
On this World AIDS day, here are a few things you can do to help in the fight against HIV.
Find out what HIV is and how it is transmitted, get an HIV test and know your status (available at your doctor's office or the sexual health clinic. A yearly test is recommended for anyone between 13-70 who has had sex).
Pass along your knowledge to your families and especially youth, and consider that those with HIV are actual people and deserve respect like all other people.
On Dec. 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Battlefords Family Health Centre will be holding an event to commemorate World AIDS Day. Nicci, a woman living with HIV will be sharing her experience living with HIV. To go along with Nicci's talk there will be a lunch by donation. The event, held at our offices at 1192 - 101st street North Battleford, is intended to help bring awareness and knowledge to our community. We hope that you are able to join us on this day.
For more information please contact Kent Lindgren, HIV project co-ordinator, or Amanda Maunula, HIV outreach worker for Battlefords Family Health Centre at 306-937-6840.
Kent Lindgren
North Battleford
