In observance of World AIDS Day (WAD) 2024 on December 1, AHF UK will host a commemorative event on Monday, December 2, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Croydon University Hospital (530 London Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey, CR7 7YE). The event’s theme, “It’s Not Over,” emphasizes the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS and aims to raise awareness, promote prevention, testing, and treatment, and offer support to those affected by HIV/AIDS both in the UK and globally.
Despite decades of progress in the fight against HIV, approximately 40 million people globally are still living with the virus, with over half of them being women and girls. According to UNAIDS, there are around 1.3 million new HIV infections reported each year, underscoring the ongoing challenge. Stigma and discrimination continue to prevent many individuals from seeking essential care, and key populations face significant barriers in accessing treatment. This year’s World AIDS Day event aims to highlight these challenges and call for sustained attention to HIV/AIDS on national and global public health agendas.
On December 2, 2024, AHF UK, in partnership with Croydon NHS Trust and other local organizations, will host a significant World AIDS Day (WAD) event at Croydon University Hospital. The event will focus on raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, the importance of early testing, and the ongoing need for treatment and prevention. Participants can access free HIV and STI testing, participate in an educational quiz with incentives, and receive free condom packs along with information to help raise awareness about HIV prevention.
Event Details:
What:
Commemoration of World AIDS Day 2024, raising awareness about HIV, testing, and prevention.
When:
Monday, December 2, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where:
Croydon University Hospital, 530 London Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey, CR7 7YE
Ground Floor Foyer (by the escalator)
Who:
- Deputy Civic Mayor, Cllr Richard Chatterjee
- Dozens of HIV/AIDS advocates and volunteers
- AHF UK staff and local health professionals
The event will provide essential HIV education, highlight the importance of HIV testing, and encourage people to take action in preventing the spread of the virus. Attendees can enjoy the quiz and collect freebies such as condoms and educational materials to help spread awareness within their communities.
Beatrice Nabulya, Testing and Volunteer Lead at AHF UK, emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment: “Effective treatment enables people living with HIV to maintain good health and prevents transmission of the virus. Unfortunately, in 2023, 40% of the 2,810 new HIV diagnoses in England were made late, when patients’ immune systems had already been significantly weakened. This highlights the urgent need to prioritize HIV and sexual health services as integral to our overall health and wellbeing agendas.”
She further explained, “We must build on the strong community networks we already have, both locally and nationally, to address the stigma surrounding HIV and ensure that testing, treatment, and prevention services are accessible to everyone. World AIDS Day is an important reminder that, although progress has been made, ‘It’s Not Over’ until stigma is eradicated, testing is universally accessible, and every person diagnosed with HIV has access to life-saving treatment.”
Daniel Reijer, AHF Europe Bureau Chief, also stressed the challenges faced in Europe, particularly in Eastern Europe, where new HIV cases continue to rise. “Europe is experiencing a stagnation in its HIV response, and new cases are still being reported in alarming numbers. It’s crucial that we revitalize our public health strategies to prevent new infections and ensure our healthcare systems are well-funded to provide accessible testing, treatment, and stigma reduction services.”
World AIDS Day provides an important platform to reflect on the progress made in combating HIV/AIDS, to honor those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses, and to renew the global commitment to ending the epidemic. On this World AIDS Day, the call to action remains: “It’s Not Over” until HIV is eradicated, and until all those affected have access to the treatment and support they need.
About AHF:
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global non-profit organization that provides high-quality medical care and advocacy to over 2 million people in 48 countries worldwide, including Africa, the Americas, Asia/Pacific, and Europe. As the world’s largest non-profit provider of HIV/AIDS medical care, AHF is committed to ensuring that individuals living with HIV have access to the life-saving treatment and care they need.
