The Bahamas will join nations around the world today in marking World AIDS Day to raise awareness of the deadly virus that is still claiming the lives of many people around the world. Many Bahamians will wear the symbolic red ribbon to show their support for AIDS victims. World AIDS Day, which is observed annually on December 1, is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and commemorate the people who have died.
World AIDS Day was the first global health day, and was held for the first time in 1988. Globally it is estimated that 34 million people live with the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history, according to statistics.
World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show support and solidarity with the people living with HIV, and wearing a red ribbon is one simple way to do this.
The Bahamas AIDS Foundation is headed by President Camille, Lady Barnett; it was established in 1992 by the Zonta Club of Nassau, which approached Dr. Perry Gomez, the director of the national AIDS program, with a view to establishing a non-governmental organization to assist in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The foundation's mission is to support the fight against HIV/AIDS in the community, to provide education and awareness, to assist in the prevention, treatment and cure and to provide support for people living with HIV/AIDS.
In recognition of World AIDS Day, the Bahamas AIDS Foundation recently held its 22nd Annual Red Ribbon Ball at the Atlantis resort. Proceeds from the ball provide almost 50 percent of what the foundation needs to cover its work, including its outreach program for adolescents infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. This program involves an after-school component, psycho-social component and health component. For the after-school component, the foundation hires tutors, a social worker and a cook to provide meals for children. It hopes to prepare young people who are readying for work life as far as career development.
The foundation also purchases special medications. Even though the government purchases most of the medication, according to Barnett, there are some people who are resistant to the medication that's available, or for whatever reason need a different medication. The foundation has therefore committed to purchasing some of the medicines as well. According to Barnett, the more funds they have, the more people they can support. The foundation also provides opportunities for things like education and awareness like HIV testing at the College of The Bahamas and purchasing storybooks for primary schools.
"There are lots of things that need to be done because we have to keep HIV and AIDS in the forefront of people's minds because it hasn't gone away," said Barnett in an earlier interview with The Nassau Guardian. "It's still here. It's still a serious problem, and we want people to remember that and to protect themselves and know their status by getting an HIV test."
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