‘Getting to Zero’ – fighting discrimination on World AIDS Day
by Shrutee K/DNS
30th November 2015,
Mumbai: Calling for an end to discrimination against HIV/AIDS
patients, the Association of Hospitals (AOH) one of Mumbai’s oldest and trusted
healthcare associations commented on the occasion of ‘World AIDS Day’. Globally
acknowledged as World AIDS Day, 1st December is dedicated to
creating awareness about one of the most dreadful diseases in human history.World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the
public and Government that HIV and AIDS have not gone away – there is still a
vital need to reduce intolerance, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
Commenting
on the occasion Dr. PM Bhujang, President of the Association of Hospitals said,“This
year’s World AIDS Day theme – ‘Getting to Zero’ – highlights the road ahead for
Indian healthcare institutions. The quality of treatment and care provided to
HIV/AIDS patients has increased a lot over the last decade. Discrimination and
inequality towards HIV/AIDS patients has also reduced tremendously. Even so, there
is still a need for wide-spread interventions. In order to ‘get to zero’,
developing early diagnosis and preventative measures for this incurable disease
is critical.
It is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but
no one should die of ignorance. Both in urban and rural areas, educational
programs,condom promotions and red ribbon clubs are required to fight against
AIDS.” 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 human history.Accordingto
WHO, globally there are an estimated 34 million people who have the virus. In
Maharashtra, according 2011 figures the number of AIDS-related deaths were23,764.
About Association of Hospital:
The
Association of Hospitals has been formed under the Memorandum dated
August 6, 1985 and is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
The Association is also registered under Maharashtra Public Trust Act,
1950 as Public Charitable Trust with the office of Charity
Commissioner, Maharashtra State.
Presently there are 52 members of the Association and
all of them are Public Charitable Trust Hospitals registered under
Maharashtra Public Trust Act, 1950 with the concerned
offices of Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra State depending upon the
Jurisdiction. The members being not-for-profit charitable hospitals render
yeomen service to the public and bear a major share of healthcare
service to the people.
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