World Aids Day 2015 |01 December 2015
Minister urges all to unite to ensure success in ‘Getting to Zero’
“On World Aids Day 2015, I call on everyone in Seychelles to unite our efforts, guided by the evidence to ensure success in Getting to Zero.”
This comes in a message from the Minister for Health Mitcy Larue on the occasion of World Aids day today.
Minister Larue’s message reads:
“For the past five years Seychelles has joined the world to commemorate the World Aids Day under the theme ‘GETTING TO ZERO’. In 2011, all heads of states pledged to achieve this target through three major goals. These are:
• Zero new HIV infections
• Zero Aids-related discrimination
• Zero Aids-related deaths.
“The world has come a long way since 2000, achieving the global target of halting and reversing the spread of HIV.
“New infections have fallen by 35% since 2000 and Aids-related deaths by 24%. Some 16 million people are now receiving antiretroviral treatment – more than 11 million of them in Africa.
“Ahead of World AIDS Day 2015, UNAids has released a new report showing that countries are getting on the Fast-Track to end AIDS by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The targets that would need to be reached by 2020 include achieving
90-90-90:
• 90% of people living with HIV knowing their HIV status;
• 90% of people who know their HIV-positive status on treatment;
• and 90% of people on treatment with suppressed viral loads.
“The fast-track approach will also reduce new HIV infections by 75% and realise our vision of zero discrimination.
“Adopting the UNAids Fast-Track approach through strong leadership and investment within the communities, cities and countries most affected, the Aids epidemic can be ended by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“On World Aids Day, the new WHO recommendations will launch to help achieve these targets. These include the use of innovative HIV testing methods; customising treatment approaches to meet the full diversity of people’s needs; and offering a wider spectrum of prevention options.
“The people of Seychelles have come together in many ways to fight this disease through government, non-government and private agencies who are working together to reduce the impact of HIV and Aids in our country.
“Free testing counselling and treatment is available to all who need it. The uptake of HIV testing in Ante Natal clinic is 100%. Maternal to child transmission of HIV is almost 0%. Of those who are on Anti Retro Viral treatment, 90% have a viral load which is undetectable.
“However challenges remain. Evidence has shown us that HIV is more prevalent in our vulnerable populations, that is, intravenous drug users (IDUs), Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and sex workers (SW).
“We will implement strategies that have been proven to work to ensure these key populations are not left behind.
“We will adopt the New WHO Guidelines to test and treat in order to reach the 2030 target. In this venture, we will be further promoting testing in all our health facilities and conduct a national testing week this month. We will also be dialoguing with stakeholders and encouraging local community initiatives in curbing the epidemic and fast-tracking to zero. The HIV test is for free in all our government health facilities: we urge everyone take the test and know their HIV status. If you are HIV positive, treatment is also freely available.
“On World Aids Day 2015, I call on everyone in Seychelles to unite our efforts, guided by the evidence to ensure success in Getting to Zero.”