1st of December is being observed the world over as the World AIDS Day. The Department of Health, CTA, is proactively observing the day. And, I greet you all on this important day. The HIV virus was first identified in 1981 and later clinically defined as HIV/AIDS or Human Immunodeficiency virus and Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome respectively after a series of scientific research findings.

The official theme of the World’s AIDS day for 2011 to 2015 is “Getting to Zero: zero new HIV infections, Zero discriminations, Zero AIDS related death.” With this theme, respective countries of the world will move forward in bettering the care and treatment of people infected with HIV/AIDS. The current efforts regarding HIV/AIDS prevention are not enough to eliminate the spread of this epidemic globally. Therefore, the World AIDS Day is commemorated each year to not only raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic but also to remind and recommit ourselves to its eradication as a public health challenge.

According to a report by WHO in 2011, there are 34 million people infected with HIV virus and about 2.2 million new registered cases in 2011. Additionally, around 1.7 million people died of AIDS in 2011. Even though, it is estimated that majority of these infected people are from the developing countries but everyone on this earth irrespective of sex and age group are at risk from HIV infections. We are generally scattered in different locations all over the world and there is increasing mobility for livelihood and employment reasons. Therefore, we all must realize the increasing risk of HIV infections within the Tibetan community.

It is important to understand that the disease has a very long period of progression and it can take about 10-15 years before the HIV infection develops into a full blown AIDS. Therefore, it is impossible to detect the HIV infection without HIV testing. Unprotected sexual relations, blood transfusion, syringe exchange, sharing needles for body tattoo and being born to an infected mother are some of the ways by which the HIV virus can be passed from an infected person to others.

After being diagnosed with HIV infection, a patient must immediately access checkups and treatments at Government of India’s HIV/AIDS centers through the Department of Health’s local health centers in India. Such a prompt action will be helpful in reducing the severity of the infection as well as delaying the manifestation or onset of the AIDS syndrome to a great extent.

It is of utmost importance to treat every HIV patient with respect and dignity without discriminating them. All of them must be provided adequate care with compassion and kindness by everyone in the Tibetan community. To commemorate this very important day, the Department of Health, CTA, has organized World AIDS day’s theme based essay and drawing competition in all major Tibetan schools in India. Also, coinciding with the observance of the world AIDS Day, the Department of Health is releasing a new HIV /AIDS based documentary movie. It is our great pleasure to announce that we are premiering this movie at Dharamsala.

The Department of Health has decided to observe the whole month of December this year specifically on HIV/ AIDS awareness and outreach activities. Therefore, we would like to request everyone in respective Tibetan settlements to provide your full support and assistance for this very urgent and significant cause, i.e., total eradication of HIV/AIDs from the Tibetan community.