WORLD AIDS DAY 2011

December 1st the world marks World AIDS day. The theme for World AIDS Day 2011 is “Getting to Zero”. After almost three decades of numerous programs and strategies to deal with HIV/AIDS pandemic, this year the global Community has committed to focusing on achieving three main targets; Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS-related Deaths.”

World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us - individuals, communities and political leaders - to take on the challenge of getting to zero. In reflecting on the three targets there is so much we can do as individuals to enable the goal of Getting to Zero.

Mother Teresa once said, “we cannot all do great things,but we can do small things but with great love”. It’s my belief that as we Mark World AIDS day, we can all begin to reflect on what things we can do to contribute towards making our country and this world achieve its milestones in strategies towards Prevention, Treatment and management of HIV/AIDS.



In no particular order, here are 5 things you can do;

TALK/COMMUNICATE; when I was young, there was a song by Salt N Pepper, “Lets talk about Sex”. Yeah.... you tube it if you weren’t born by then. Anyway, In the spirit of that song, we have to talk about sex if we are to achieve Zero New HIV infections. Lets talk to our friends, our neighbors, anyone in need of information, anyone in need of help. Lets talk about HIV. What it is, how it is transmitted, how to prevent it, what treatment options are available and where we can get it. Lets talk and make people informed about HIV/AIDS. On a more personal level, lets communicate to the people we live with and care about. The people we call family. Talk to your spouse’s/partners, Really, stop talking to the women in your chama or the men in your drinking group or the radio for pits sake and communicate to your spouse’s/partners. At the end of the day, they are the ones you go home to and expect to fix your little problems sexual or otherwise.

Talk about seeking HIV and other STI prevention strategies, Talk about the responsibilities in your relationships and commitment to each other. If We get good at talking to our spouses, then maybe we won’t seek short term solutions to our problems and maybe…just maybe, Jimmy Gathu and his calculator will vacate our TV’s and let us be.

Talk to your children. In this age and time, it is very detrimental to avoid talking to your children however young they may be. The world tells your children a lot of nasty things, you need to communicate your values, your thoughts and give direction on what is wrong and what’s right. Granted they may not always think you are right but believe me, they will use some of the thoughts and advice shared a lot when they are all grown up. Talk to your children in honesty and as consistently as you can. Talk to them about their body parts, what should be touched at what time and by whom. Statistics the world over show that majority of children are sexually molested by people they know and care about; relatives, teacher’s et al. I couldn’t stress this enough; Talk to your children.


GET TESTED; the only way to know if one is not infected is to get tested. The only way to know you are not transmitting the virus to your spouse/sexual partner/child/complicated relationship/one night stand or whatever it is you prefer to call them is if you are sure of your HIV status. Anyone who is sexually active needs to test for HIV at least twice a year…make it a habit and this is not one of those habits you regret making. Making it a part of your life rubs off on the people around you and before you know it, they are getting tested too. It’s free in this country so no excuses. Get tested.

'CONDOMISE'; Okay seriously I’m trying not to be judgmental here but you would think this is rocket science by now? Well it isn’t. judging by the number of unwanted pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Incidences, Many of us are singing in this choir but very few are actually using protection. Use a condom if you are getting in the sack with anyone whose HIV or STI status you are unaware of. Use a condom if you are not ready to be a mum or dad and do not want the children’s department summoning you for child support. One of the key ways to prevent new infections is correct and consistent use of condoms. Which are provided free in government clinics or which are sold at a very subsidized price. It’s a small cost to pay if we are to achieve some aspect of Zero New infection.

CHANGE; attitude and behavior; both yours and the people around you. Change your attitude about HIV/AIDS, your attitude about people living with HIV, Your attitude about your life with HIV, and hopefully change your friends/neighbors/peers attitude in whatever way you can. Change your risk accelerating behaviors if any, change your friends if need be, Get support systems that will enable you to make good changes in your life. This rubs off on people and before you know it, they are changing too…or leaving you alone. Change is inevitable; you just need to ensure yours is positive.

LOVE; Yourself and your neighbors. If you love yourself, you will take care of yourself, you will instill values on you that show and exude self love. Those who love themselves do not judge or discriminate other people; they show love and direction to those who need it. Those who love themselves are assured of their potential and that of their support system to constantly seek what is right for them and their family. Love yourself; love yourself enough to know your HIV status. If you are HIV negative, love yourself enough to stay that way. If you are HIV positive, love yourself enough to want to live a positive productive life. Seek help if you need it, take your 'meds' as the doctor instructs, use a condom to protect your partners and treat any ailment as soon as it comes up. Live and let live.

Feel free to add your own ideas of what one can do to this list. Go out there and make a choice or choices that will enable this country, and indeed the world achieve it’s goal of Getting to Zero, one individual at a time.