Rand West Libraries management marked World Aids Day by creating awareness at the Venterspos Library on Wednesday December 1. They reminded all not to let their guard down against ‘one of the most destructive pandemics in history’.
According to the official World Aids Day website, “World AIDS Day takes place on December 1 each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first-ever global health day.
Globally, there are an estimated 38 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS related illnesses, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.”
Members of the community also came in numbers to support the event.
Rand West City Libraries spokesperson and Programmes Librarian Thandeka Legae said awareness about HIV/AIDS was created to remind society that for as long as people aren’t careful, the war against the virus will not be won.
We’ve educated people about methods of preventing this virus and the treatments available. We further went on to explain how antiretroviral (ARV) treatments work,” Legae said.
Members of the community were informed how one gets infected with the virus, which is not only transmitted through sexual activity.