HIV is still here
The John Hunter Hospital Immunology and Infectious Diseases Unit is marking 25 years since the opening of their service and World Aids Day 2011 (1 December 2011) by reminding the community HIV is still here.
The unit hosts the Newcastle HIV Outpatients Clinic and has been the centre for HIV specialist support for the Hunter New England area for the past 25 years.
“It’s more than 30 years since AIDS was identified but as part of World Aids Day we are reminding the community that HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is still here, Associate Professor, Dr Michael Boyle said.
“While there have been major breakthroughs in treating HIV/AIDS and people with HIV are living longer there is still no cure,” Dr Boyle said.
“Although the number of people contracting HIV is declining there were over 300 new cases of HIV infection diagnosed in NSW during 2010.”1
World AIDS Day provides a good opportunity to raise awareness in the community about HIV/AIDS and to address HIV related stigma and discrimination in the workplace, in health care, in schooling and in families and communities.
“HIV affects people of all ages, sex, race and culture World AIDS Day provides a good opportunity to raise awareness in the community about HIV/AIDS.
“I encourage everyone to wear a Red Ribbon on 1 December to show support for people affected by HIV,” Dr Boyle said.
Twenty years ago, a small group of New York artists created the red ribbon, a simple design which is now one of the most iconic symbols worldwide. It is worn to show support and solidarity for the millions of people living with HIV.
This year a number of activities are being conducted in the Hunter New England Health District to commemorate World AIDS Day. See over for details
• Paint the Town Red: Newcastle City Hall, the Obelisk, Customs House Fountain and promenade will be lit up in red lights for HIV Awareness Week (24 November- 1 December).
• Display of local AIDS Memorial Quilts: John Hunter Hospital and Cessnock Library during HIV Awareness Week (24 November- 1 December).
• World AIDS Day Lunch: Thursday 1 December at 12.30pm - John Hunter Hospital 12.30pm. The unit director, Dr Mark Loewenthal will make a speech at the John Hunter Hospital garden ceremony at 1pm. There will also be a grass sign of a red ribbon with ‘25 years of care’ painted on the lawn at the front of the hospital.
• World AIDS Day Service: 4 December at 5pm, Uniting Church - Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth.
• World AIDS Day stalls: Taree and Forster.
For more information on World AIDS Day visit: www.worldaidsdaynsw.org
1. NSW Health Department Notifiable Conditions Information Management System (NCIMS) (HOIST), Communicable Diseases Branch and Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health. http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/data/diseases/hiv.asp Accessed October 28 2011
Contact: Communication Unit
Phone: 49 85 55 22