Zero

1 Dec is World AIDS Day.

Clearly, this is a big deal here in South Africa. Living Hope has teams of people doing outreaches in our local communities, mobile testing and education on HIV Prevention.

Here are some notes from the World AIDS Day Press Release:

Getting to Zero 2011 World AIDS Day Theme

(by Royston Martin)

Getting to Zero - Zero AIDS-Related Deaths: 2011 World AIDS Day Theme Announced - (September 5 - Cape Town, South Africa) World AIDS Day this year is about "Getting to Zero." Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths. Backed by the United Nations the "Getting to Zero" campaign runs until 2015 and builds on last year's successful World AIDS Day "Light for Rights" initiative encompassing a range of vital issues identified by key affected populations.

The World AIDS Campaign focus on "Zero AIDS Related Deaths" signifies a push towards greater access to treatment for all; a call for governments to act now. A demand they honor promises like the Abuja declaration and that African Governments at very least hit agreed targets for domestic spending on health and HIV in support of the human right to the best attainable level of health care for all.

It's a global campaign that spotlights how our fundamental right to health is intrinsically and

inextricably linked to other basic rights – The right to food, to shelter, to freedom, to clean water and safety. Crucial too is access to affordable lifesaving quality medicines free from the crippling effects of excessive profit taking. In the coming months the World AIDS Campaign will be spotlighting a range of Getting to Zero initiatives to help see an end to AIDS related deaths

The vision for this year's World AIDS Day and beyond may be aspirational but the journey towards its attainment is laid with concrete milestones.

10 goals for 2015: [Goals list courtesy UNAIDS]

1. Sexual transmission of HIV reduced by half.

2. Vertical transmission of HIV eliminated and AIDS-related maternal deaths reduced by half.

3. All new HIV infections prevented among people who use drugs.

4. Universal access to antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV who are eligible for treatment.

5. TB deaths among people living with HIV reduced by half.

6. All people living with HIV and households affected by HIV are addressed in all national social

protection strategies and have access to essential care and support.

7. Countries with punitive laws and practices around HIV transmission, sex work, drug use or

homosexuality that block effective responses reduced by half.

8. HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay and residence eliminated in half of the countries that have such restrictions.

9. HIV-specific needs of women and girls are addressed in at least half of all national HIV responses.

10. Zero tolerance for gender-based violence.