(Editorial) World Aids Day: We must not drop our guard

Today, the world marks the World Aids Day under the theme, ‘Focus, Partner, Achieve: An Aids-free Generation’. It’s a bold, ambitious target but one that is not unachievable nonetheless. HIV/Aids has been described as the worst health crisis the world has ever seen, killing a staggering 36 million people over the last three decades, according to UN figures. Sub-Saharan Africa has bore the worst brunt of the pandemic, with as many as 25 million of the 35.3 million current infections globally, or 71 per cent, found in the region. In Rwanda, the national theme this year places more emphasis on the role of the media in continued efforts to contain HIV/Aids. Figures from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre continue to put the national prevalence rate at 3 per cent, while two people are infected with the virus every hour in the country. While the general prevalence rate remains relatively low, the trend of infections among the most vulnerable groups remain a major source of concern, with prevalence among female sex workers at a whopping 51 per cent. There have been some significant gains with regard to fighting mother-to-child-transmission but new infections among newborns still occur. While scientists continue to do all they can to find a cure for the deadly virus, the battle against HIV/Aids remains as important and urgent as ever. This calls for consistent and concerted engagement and concrete actions at all levels if we are to significantly scale down on the number of new infections and avail antiretroviral therapy to those who are infected to ensure they lead a positive, productive life. The media and other civil society organisations as well as the private sector, schools and grassroots actors should all join the government in rolling back HIV/Aids and giving the best care to the infected and affected. Particular emphasis should be placed on promoting behaviour change among the high-risk groups, notably sex workers and the youth. Equally important is to fight social vices that could lead to irresponsible sexual conduct such as drug abuse, and to promote schemes that give young people the opportunity to afford a decent life. But the main responsibility lies with the individual. While abstinence and faithfulness remain the most credible preventive measures, condom use and male circumcision are very important in the fight against HIV/Aids. We must not drop our guard and remain ever so vigilant.

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(Editorial) World Aids Day: We must not drop our guard