Activists march in solidarity with HIV/Aids victims |02 December 2017
To commemorate the 29th anniversary of World Aids Day (WAD), a special march was organised yesterday under the theme ‘Right to Health’.
The march started at the Ministry of Health headquarters and ended at the International Conference Centre Seychelles (ICCS).
The march was officially launched by the chairperson of the National Aids Council board Peggy Vidot.
“Such march is dedicated to raising awareness of the Aids pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease,” she said.
The march also saw the participation of the Minister for Health Jean-Paul Adam, the Minister for Home Affairs and Local Government Macsuzy Mondon, who is also the designated Minister, the Minister for Family Affairs Jeanne Simeon, government and health officials, non-governmental organisations and individuals willing to make a difference.
At the end of the march, a special ceremony was organis at the ICCS to officially launch the World Aids campaign.
In his speech, Minister Adam stated that this year also marks three decades after the first case of HIV was discovered in Seychelles.
“The world is still recognising our achievement for having battling the disease since many years, we must recognise that not everything is perfect, but more work is being done around the country to educate people about the importance of taking their responsibility concerning their health. We have also a campaign to educate sex workers, prisoners about HIV, and also launch a new HIV and Aids strategic plan. Our aim is that 90 per cent of our population are able to test for HIV,” he said
During the ceremony there was also a testimony by Reginald Hoareau, who has been living with the disease for the past 22 years.
“Twenty years ago, I discovered that I was HIV positive, at this time there was no medication for such disease. I needed to change my lifestyle and take care of my health. I started treatment in 2002 to make sure that I live much longer, but I encountered so many obstacles in my way. It was hard for me to find a job, but I never gave up. I worked hard and today I am still alive to share my experience,” he said.
Ombudsman Nichole Tirant-Ghérardi made a presentation on human rights while Designated Minister Mondon lit a memorial candle. This was followed by the cutting of a commemorative cake by the chief executive of the National Aids Council Dr Anne Gabriel.
As of 2017, Aids has killed between 28.9 million and 41.5 million people worldwide, and an estimated 36.7 million people are living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history. Thanks to recent improved access to antiretroviral treatment in many regions of the world, the death rate from Aids epidemic has decreased since its peak in 2005 (1 million in 2016, compared to 1.9 million in 2005).
