Chinanews, December 1st (Liu Danyi) Today is the 33rd "World AIDS Day".

Every year, about 1.7 million people are infected with HIV and 690,000 people die... WHO says that AIDS is still a major global public health problem.

The AIDS prevention and control work under the new crown epidemic faces additional challenges. The interruption of virus testing, prevention and treatment services may wipe out the hard-earned AIDS prevention results for many years.

December 1st is "World AIDS Day".

(Text: Liu Danyi Drawing: Wei Leichao)

"Fight against any kind of disease,

It shouldn’t be at the expense of the other."

　　"I was shocked the afternoon I learned that I contracted AIDS. After leaving the doctor's office, I wandered the streets all night. When my consciousness was finally awake, it was already dawn." Ale Gadro from Mexico recalled Tao.

　　His panic, fear, and helplessness are probably the common portrayal of tens of millions of AIDS patients.

This is just the beginning of the anti-AIDS road. They may accept care from their families and society, or they may face discrimination and indifference. In 2020, they will face a new obstacle-the new crown epidemic.

Facts and figures about AIDS.

(Text: Liu Danyi Drawing: Wei Leichao)

　　The WHO and UNAIDS convened a modelling forecast in May.

If access to antiretroviral drugs is interrupted for six months, it is possible that in the next year, the number of AIDS-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa will increase by 500,000.

　　UNAIDS Executive Director Bain Imma said: “In the fight against the new crown, the hard-won achievements of AIDS prevention and control may be sacrificed, but the right to health means that in the fight against any disease, one should not sacrifice others. A disease at the cost."

Supply of life-saving drugs interrupted

Demand for medical treatment was forced to stop

　　In order to curb the new crown epidemic, many countries have implemented lockdown measures, unable to test and obtain drugs in a timely manner, increasing the health risks of AIDS patients.

　　During the lockdown in Nairobi, Wuto, who was infected with HIV, borrowed antiretroviral drugs from his wife who was also infected.

As a volunteer AIDS educator, Wuto is very aware of the risks that he can bring about mixing or stopping taking drugs, but he has no other way.

　　"It's really hard to accept," Doctor Ditiu said.

"We did a lot of work to reach our current level. Although we have not climbed to the top, we have left the foot of the mountain, but an avalanche pushed us back to the bottom of the valley."

In June 2001, the United Nations Secretariat Building lit up the red AIDS ribbon lights, demonstrating the United Nations' commitment to fight AIDS.

UN Photo: Eskinder Debebe

　　A new WHO survey shows that 73 countries are facing the risk of antiretroviral drugs being out of stock due to the new coronavirus pandemic; 24 countries have reported that the stock of antiretroviral drugs in their countries is extremely low and these life-saving drugs Or supply disruption.

　　On the other side of the ocean, when the new crown epidemic swept across the United States, Prince discovered that some of the AIDS patients she helped no longer see doctors and receive tests.

Some people have started to use drugs and alcohol again, and some infected people refuse to leave their homes because of fear of contracting the new crown virus.

　　The new crown epidemic has disrupted American medical services, and the fight against HIV has not been spared.

The clinic has stopped or restricted testing for this disease, and staff have been removed from tracking HIV patients.

　　Harper, 56, said that the new crown epidemic has plunged her into depression, and she is "paranoid" worried about contracting the virus in the hospital.

Hubble was afraid to go to the hospital for an AIDS blood test.

"It's a bit like I was diagnosed with AIDS again because the new crown epidemic has isolated me from everyone," Harper said.

Discrimination and stigma

Uneasiness and fear linger

　　In addition to the difficulties in seeking medical treatment, AIDS patients also face a mental blow.

The United Nations AIDS Programme issued a report in October this year that people living with HIV were attacked during the new crown epidemic.

　　Baiyanima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, said: “Stigmatization and discrimination soon appeared after the fear and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This will only backfire and expose people to violence, harassment and isolation, and make them Unable to obtain medical services and prevent public health measures from effectively controlling various epidemics."

A teenager is being tested for HIV.

UNICEF Photo: Frank Dejongh

　　Gunter, a coordinator of a service organization for people living with HIV in Delhi, India, said: “Sometimes the Delhi police will let you go when they see your medical record. But sometimes they will hunt you down when they see the word HIV.”

　　Gunter said: "The word'HIV' makes them think that we are all sex workers or drug users. Yesterday, the police beat one of our outreach workers who tried to organize activities. Even though the law now prohibits discrimination against HIV carriers. But the prejudice still exists."

　　In the African country of Malawi, 24-year-old student Kondevani said that the misunderstanding that AIDS patients are at higher risk of contracting the new crown virus has contributed to discrimination against people living with HIV and made it more difficult to obtain the medical services they need.

Kondevani said: "This stigma has brought unnecessary fear to people living with HIV."

　　"The truth is that everyone can be infected with the new coronavirus, and everyone can die," Kondevani said.

　　Godfrey Fawcett, a senior scientific adviser to the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, also said that although AIDS patients seem to be prone to contracting the new crown or have severe symptoms, the risk of AIDS is still lower than that of advanced age, obesity or diabetes.

"Unless everyone is safe, no one is safe"

　　UN Secretary-General Guterres said that the new crown epidemic has sounded a wake-up call for the world, "Inequality in health care affects each of us, unless everyone is safe, no one is safe."

Data map: On December 8, 2019 local time, hundreds of people participated in the "Santa Underwear Run" on the streets of San Francisco, USA, to welcome Christmas and raise funds for AIDS patients.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan

　　Although mankind has made some progress in the decades-long fight against AIDS, there are still serious regional differences.

　　In recent years, eastern and southern Africa has made progress in preventing HIV infection. Since 2010, the number of new infections has decreased by 38%.

This is in sharp contrast with Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where new infections have risen by 72% since 2010.

New infections in the Middle East and North Africa also increased by 22%, and Latin America increased by 21%.

　　In 2014, UNAIDS launched the "90-90-90" plan, promising that by 2020, 90% of people living with HIV will know their infection status, 90% of whom will receive antiretroviral treatment and 90% will receive treatment The virus in the patient's body is suppressed.

Although this plan cannot be completed as scheduled, 14 countries have already achieved the goal.

　　As more and more people obtain effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care measures, AIDS has become a manageable chronic health disease, and HIV-infected people can also lead a healthy and long life.

　　More than ten years have passed since the night that made Alegardro panicked.

He said: "I assure myself that the virus will never defeat me, and I decided to be strong." "My greatest satisfaction now is to help others get medical services. People living with HIV do not require privileges, but only require our rights to be respected. ."(Finish)