25 million deaths, 33 million people living with HIV and 7,000 new infections every day, those are the facts as we mark World AIDS Day today.
Here in Fiji, there are 271 reported HIV cases to date, with 12 new cases reported for the year 2008 alone.
239 of these people living with HIV are heterosexuals and according to the latest Health Ministry statistics obtained by Fijivillage for 2008, there are 17 children aged 9 years or under living with HIV and 13 teenagers who are between 10 to 19 years old.
Note that these are only the reported cases based on the voluntary HIV testing which has been conducted.
The numbers are definitely higher according to experts as there are thousands more unreported cases.
Today Fijivillage speaks to 31 year old Jokapeci Tuberi Cati.
Cati was the first person in Fiji to come out and state publically that she is living with HIV.
She is now working with the NGO, FJN Plus who look after people living with HIV and raise awareness on the disease.
Cati said there is definitely a lot of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, and these people need assistance.
For Cati, she contracted the virus through marriage and she said she is fortunate that a lot of people understood her situation.
Cati said a lot of work is being done to raise awareness about HIV and she said the campaigns are working.
However, as we mark World AIDS Day today, Cati is disappointed that there are no events organized in the capital city.
Cati said this was an opportune time to use the young people to advocate the need to take the lead in safe sex.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has confirmed it will be targeting mobilizing as many youths as possible against the fight of the deadly HIV AIDS virus.
With the theme "Our Voice, Our Future", the Ministry's Communications Officer, Fred Elbourne said their awareness campaign kicked off in Lautoka today.
Elbourne said they will be trying to get as many youths involved in their awareness campaign.
He added they will be visiting nightclubs tomorrow and other places which are frequented by youths to hand out condoms.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador Steven McGann today thanked those brave individuals who have publicly come forward to share their experiences and to give a human face to this AIDS epidemic.
He said this openness gives us a glimpse at the many challenges they face every day in living with HIV or AIDS.
McGann said the total number of reported cases in Fiji from 1989 to July 2008 is 271 adding that the WHO said that multiplying this number by 10 gives a more accurate picture which means Fiji's number would stand at 2,710.
McGann said while stigma and discrimination is still prevalent in society we need to overcome these and help usher in tolerance and understanding, to provide support for people living with HIV and AIDS.
271 Reported HIV Cases To Date
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