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November 29, 1996
(Health)


World AIDS Day December 1

This Sunday December 1, people from all over the world will observe World AIDS Day said Health Minister Lloyd Matthews. "This year's theme, One World - One Hope, recognizes that HIV and AIDS are global problems affecting all countries," said the minister. "HIV and AIDS can affect all individuals regardless of geography, age, sex, income or social status. It is a reality that exists and we must all work together in prevention and treatment initiatives."

"There is also hope," said the minister. "There is a growing sense of optimism in the scientific community. New treatments that may slow the progression of AIDS and alleviate some of the suffering of people living with HIV and AIDS are becoming a reality."

In this province, a test to better determine appropriate treatment of persons infected with HIV/AIDS is now available through the infectious diseases clinic at the Health Sciences Centre. Viral load testing, as it is called, measures the number of HIV particles in an individual's blood, providing physicians with an important baseline predictor of the progression of HIV. Dr. Sam Ratnam, the province's Director of the Public Health Laboratory says, "Viral load testing at regular intervals will help determine the most effective treatment, medication and dosage. It is intended to improve the management of HIV patients."

The minister added that a number of initiatives in prevention, treatment and care for people living with HIV and AIDS are ongoing as part of the province's HIV/AIDS strategy which was developed in 1993.

Contact: Jill Sooley, (709) 729-1377; Dr. Sam Ratnam, Newfoundland Public Health Laboratory, (709) 737-6568.

1996 11 29 4:35 p.m.

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