By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, December 1: Tibetans in various settlements and schools in India today commemorated the World AIDS Day by spreading awareness about the deadly disease that has claimed at least 30 lives of Tibetans in exile as per DOH statistics.
The theme for the World AIDS Day for the year 2011-2015 is “Getting zero: Zero new infection, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS related deaths.”
Tsering Wangchuk, Minister of Department of Health of the Tibetan government in exile in his statement, said that with no cure for HIV infection, the responsibility is two-folded- prevention of new infection and supporting those living with HIV both in terms of medical treatment in order to live a longer healthy life and social empowerment in order to live a productive life without discrimination.
“It is the responsibility of every individual to equip oneself with wholesome education on HIV and AIDS. Knowing and being aware is the first step towards prevention. After understanding the disease and its effects, it is a further responsibility to educate others and provide support to those already infected,” Wangchuk added.
According to Department of Health, there are over 60 registered HIV patients and over 30 people living with HIV program beneficiaries in the Tibetan Diaspora.
“It must be remembered that in order to achieve the theme goal of “Getting to Zero”, it is not merely the effort of a day but it should be a continuous ongoing effort throughout the year. With these efforts in mind, the day is not far when we can actually achieve zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths,” said Wangchuk.
The DoH will also launch a mobile HIV AIDS awareness campaign targeted at educating Tibetans at various sweater selling areas across India in December.
Meanwhile, Dharamshala based Lha Charitable Trust, Kunphen Centre for Substance Dependence and Delek Hospital jointly organized a day long HIV/AIDS awareness campaign including free blood check-up, screening of a short documentary and a talk on HIV/AIDS.
More than 1.5 million people have died from HIV/AIDS and over 35 million people are living with HIV, according to UNAIDS 2013 statistics.
Ever since the disease was first discovered in 1981, the day has become one of the most recognized international health days to increase awareness, fight against the prejudices, and to mobilize community at grassroots level in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
