December 1st is internationally marked as the day commemorating those persons living with and those who have died due to AIDS. 2016 marks 28 years since the first commemoration in 1988, however AIDS continues to be a growing concern with almost 36.7 million people living with the deadly disease worldwide.
World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1st every year making this the 28th years for Guyana joining the worldwide fight against the HIV/ AIDS epidemic. As a nation we have achieved a lot in stamping out this scourge but we have a long way to go. Government is keen in upholding its commitment which it made three years ago to the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goal which sought 90 per cent of persons living with HIV knowing their status, 90 per cent of those persons enrolled in a facility and 90 per cent of those receiving therapy by the year 2020. Currently in Guyana, there are approximately 7,000 persons living with HIV and AIDS and over 5300 to date have been linked with a health care facility and approximately 85 per cent receiving anti-retroviral therapy. It is estimated that a mere 200 persons die annually from AIDS related illnesses while the mother to child transmission rate stands at just 2 per cent. Infection in pregnant mothers stands at 1.9 per cent.
The trends indicate that there has been a gradual decline of cases over the years, however a lot more needs to be done if the disease is to be adequately controlled.
The world has committed to end the epidemic by 2030, which has signaled Guyana to aim to do the same.
