World AIDS Day 2002, “Live and Let Live”
1 December 2002
“When the patient comes to our ward, its written on the file ‘HIV’ in big letters. Its kept next to the patient. Anybody can see it.” Private hospital worker, Mumbai
Every year on 1 December, World AIDS Day draws world attention to the prevention and care of HIV/AIDS. The theme for the World AIDS Campaign 2002-2003 is stigma and discrimination.
“My colleagues didn’t openly say anything to me, but the environment was no longer the same. They avoided me. If I entered the room they would leave abruptly. Then they asked me to keep a separate glass for water. I decided to quit the job” says Daljit, 25 year old factory worker
Stigma and discrimination continue to fuel the HIV/AIDS epidemic hampering prevention and care efforts. Many communities respond to HIV/AIDS with ignorance, fear, denial and intolerance. People living with HIV/AIDS and their families have to deal with a traumatic health crisis as well as the negative responses they encounter in daily life.
The new HIV/AIDS epidemic update will be released jointly by WHO and UNAIDS in London on November 26th. Simultaneous launches will be held in Geneva, Paris, Copenhagen, and Madrid.