World AIDS Day – Children must be our focus !

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have passed away. On October 27, 1988, the World Health Organization declared that December 1, 1988, be observed as World AIDS Day

AIDS stands for “acquired immune deficiency syndrome” or “acquired immunodeficiency syndrome” and denotes a condition, which results from the damage done by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) to the immune system. The condition was first identified in 1981 and the name “AIDS” was first introduced on July 27, 1982. A simple red ribbon is one of the most widely recognized symbols of HIV and AIDS.

According to UNICEF India there are 220,000 children infected by HIV/AIDS in India. It is approximated that every year 55,000 to 60,000 children are born to mothers who are HIV positive. 30% of these children are likely to be infected themselves. According to a publication of NACO and Ministry of Women & Child Development there are 2-3 million people in India living with HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that out of 70,000 children below the age of 15 who are infected with HIV, 21,000 are infected through mother-child transmission every year

For young children early detection, nutritional supplements and medical treatment especially antiretroviral therapy are essential for survival. Although World AIDS Day is a great opportunity to get the public talking about HIV and fundraise, we need to remember the importance of educating people, especially youth and children, about nutrition, health and prevention of HIV all the year round.