Lieutenant Colonel Susie G. Lewis, AFRICOM Commandant wrote:
Many at US AFRICA COMMAND may not realize that our HIV/AIDS program is the largest health program executed on the continent. At approximately $114M this program touches the lives of thousands of members of African militaries and their families. The HIV/AIDS program sponsors testing, education, prevention and construction of laboratories in 43 partner nations.
AFRICOM is proud to work and engage with our African partners and support them in conquering this disease. World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1st each year around the world. It has become one of the most recognized international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.
UNAIDS took the lead on World AIDS Day campaigning from its creation until 2004. From 2004 onwards the World AIDS Campaign’s Global Steering Committee began selecting a theme for World AIDS Day in consultation with civil society, non-governmental organizations and government agencies involved in the AIDS response.
Themes run for one or two years and are not just specific to World AIDS Day. Campaigning slogans such as ‘Stop AIDS and Keep the Promise’ have been used year round to hold governments accountable for their HIV and AIDS related commitments.
This year’s theme “Getting to Zero” reinforces the need to become educated about HIV/AIDS prevention and explains how we can make a difference.
To learn more, click on the following link: http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/en/home
Visit us at www.africom.mil
0 Responses to “World AIDS Day – “Getting to Zero””