Minister Recognizes World AIDS Day

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, officially recognizes today, December 1, 2006, as World AIDS Day. This day of recognition provides an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS by raising money and public awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education around HIV/AIDS.

�Since the early 1980s, over 20 million people have died worldwide, and at home, we have lost over 80 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to this terrible disease,� said Minister Osborne. �Today, our government joins other governments, stakeholders and individuals across the world to voice our collective commitment to improving the lives of individuals living with HIV/AIDS and to preventing the spread of the disease.�

In June of this year, government announced a $120,000 contribution towards the new Tommy Sexton Centre, which will provide emergency shelter, transitional and supportive housing and related supports to people living with HIV/AIDS in Newfoundland and Labrador.

�Many persons with HIV and AIDS experience harsh social realities including homelessness, stigma, violence, mental health issues and lack of employment opportunities,� said Minister Osborne. �The centre will address many of these issues by providing support, safe and secure housing, and coordinated services to meet the diverse client needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS.�

Additionally, in keeping with government�s commitment to preventing the spread of HIV, government supports a Needle Exchange Program operated by the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador, entitled the Safe Works Access Program. The program provides services and information needed to help prevent HIV and Hepatitis B and C being transmitted from one infected person to another through shared needles and other injection equipment.

The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment. People across the province are encouraged to wear a red ribbon to mark World AIDS Day to show their support for individuals living with AIDS and share in the collective hope that we will one day have a cure for this terrible disease.

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