Since 1988, on the 1st of December of each year, we celebrate World AIDS Day.
It is an opportunity for humans worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, and to show support for people living with this disease.
The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is “Communities make the difference”. The United Nations programs on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) claim that today is an important opportunity to recognize the essential role that communities have played and continue to play in response to AIDS, at the international, national and local levels.
Looking back into the Maldivian history, we have heard of the dangers of HIV and AIDS. A small number of people have experienced this life-threatening disease in our community. According to UNAIDS, Maldives has more than 100 people living with HIV and AIDS currently. And with considerable vulnerability and risk, there is potential for concentrated HIV epidemic, if necessary actions are not taken.
The few causes of HIV infection spread is by sex, blood transfusion, sharing needles, during pregnancy and delivery, or through breast feeding.
In 2016, on the commemoration of World AIDS Day, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) of Maldives, held a medical checkup program for the expats upon their arrival. The results shocked our community as more than 350 expats were tested positive for HIV and was deported on the spot. Furthermore, HPA has claimed that between 1991 to 2016, the HIV positive rate has increased to 23 people in the Maldives. Within this period 12 people died due to AIDS.
The world statistics for HIV patients show that last year, 1,700,000 (one million seven hundred thousand) people were tested positive to HIV, and 770,0000 (seven hundred and seventy thousand) people died due to this disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) statistics confirmed that of the 37.9 million people living with HIV at the end of 2018, 79 percentage were tested, 62 percentage received the treatment, and 53 percentage had achieved suppression of the HIV virus with reduced risk of infecting others.
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