WORLD AIDS DAY 2010

Tomorrow is December 1st and much as I have tried to, I realize this is one of those days I can not afford to let my opinion known to the masses *insert huge grin*

December 1st is the annual commemoration of World AIDS day. It has been 26 years since the first HIV patient was diagnosed in Kenya and as a third world country we were not spared the harsh brunt of this disease and the confusion, panic, stigma and discrimination that it descended with.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2010 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care, recognizing these as fundamental human rights. Valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV and AIDS services, yet greater commitment is needed around the world if the goal of universal access is to be achieved.

This year, I want to marvel at the strides we have made on an individual basis, as friends, as families, communities and as a country in getting to where we are in terms of responding to HIV&AIDS. In my own way I want to award people, groups, organizations…some known, others silent in this Endeavor to achieve a HIV free society for our children and their children.

Not in any particular order, My ‘Red Ribbon Awards’ go to;-

THE ACTIVISTS:
It’s often hard to be the first person to stand among the minorities and fight for their existence, rights and human dignity. These people got courage enough to scream “I’m here and you are going to treat me and people like me with the respect we deserve”.

It is because of these people that the world took notice, the myths got demystified and People living with HIV became human again.

From Magic Johnson the basket ball player, to Mary fisher, the American political activist…. Back at home the list is endless, From Ms. Asunta Wagura-KENWA, The Late Mr. Rowland Lenya,-TAPWAK, Ms. Dorothy Onyango,-WOFAK, Monique-MSF,Ludfine-UNDP,Mr. Joe Muiruri,The late Wangeci,….Jackline Wamboi- my personal favourite among others as well as those who silently and without talking about their own HIV status made it possible to have legislatures, policies and guidelines in place.

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS:

These are men and women who because of stigma and lack of proper care of those infected with HIV in health institutions took it upon themselves to care for their own. Majorly residing in marginalized communities themselves and with very little financial support they would share what they had among themselves and offer palliative care from peoples homes. Currently they offer the best strategy for discharging patients out of the hospital back into the community thereby reducing health care costs. They are mostly people living with HIV volunteering to nurse those who are sick with one ailment or another back to health.

They cleaned wounds, bedding, exposed themselves to infections, ventured into areas some of us wouldn’t dare to. They carried sick people on their backs to hospital and ensured they adhered to ARV medications.
Watched as people that were once left for dead regained their health and got back to their feet.
These selfless men and women are the reason programs made sense in the 1990’s and early 2000 and the reason Kenya achieved its strategic goal of “A world free of AIDS”.

DONORS
A big chunk of HIV and AIDS response activities and programs are supported by donors. They work closely with the government or through partner organizations. People who have started foundations or work tirelessly to ensure donations are channeled towards HIV prevention, treatments, care and support. This list is long and I may need help writing it in completion.
From world Bank to PEPFAR (Presidential Emergency Program For AIDS and Malaria), Steven Lewis foundation, HIVOs, MSF, Amref, UNAIDS, Action Aid, CRS, Bill&Melinda gates, MTV staying Alive Campaign among others.

With funding from this organization, we are able to ensure prevention and treatment as well as care and support is available for those who need it.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

If you have a friend, a colleague, a sister, a brother, a wife, a husband, a cousin, a mother, a father or any relative in your family living with HIV and you treat them with the dignity they deserve, occasionally showing true concern and most of the time making them feel normal as normal can be then this Award is for you.
You may not realize this but half the time the support PLHIV get from family and friends goes along way in ensuring they seek treatment and strive to stay alive and happy.

To those who occasionally have to nurse relatives and friends and sometimes hold their hands throughout their low moments, the confusion, the fears, the pain. To those who don’t judge or make snide remarks or throw dramatic tantrums when a loved one discloses their HIV status. To all of you…My standing ovation! You make it possible for PLHIV to live normal lives.

MEDIA.

HIV response would be a fruitless activity if the media wasn’t involved. The media was very instrumental and still is in breaking the silence about HIV&AIDS. Through the stories on stigma and discrimination in the media we saw our selves through the mirror. Our humanity was touched by what being impartial to those living with this disease could mean and like it or not we have become more informed, more tolerant, more careful and able to discuss some of the things that we a few years back a taboo.
To the lateTom Arocho and his pioneer HIV awareness Program on KTN, to the KBC with their weekly program’ It begins with you’, to the various Media personalities who find time to discuss HIV&AIDS awareness issues, to Internews- an organization whose work involves training mainstream journalists on appropriate reporting on Matters HIV&AIDS, Gender and health. Thank you!

People Living with HIV (PLHIV)

It takes one HIV positive individual for a HIV infection take place. Educate the HIV positive individual on how not to infect someone and you won’t have any infections right? Well unfortunately not everyone has the time or energy for this school of thought.

So for the People Living with HIV who have made a conscious decision to live a positive life whether publicly or in silence. Seek treatment and prevention options, Take care of their health, disclose their status to those that need to know, protect in every way human the people they care about and still put a smile on their own faces and those of the people who matter to them.

To you ladies and gentlemen, a million pats in the back. I know its not easy, but with every passing year, and every passing cold season or irritating cough you know its going to be alright at the end of the day, when it is alright….life feels good.
Thank you for being an integral part of HIV prevention.

This list is inconclusive; you are welcome to add on to it. Who are you dedicating the Red Ribbon to?
But most importantly what are you as an individual doing to ensure we achieve universal access to Prevention, treatment, care and support for HIV&AIDS.