New Delhi, December 05, 2014: Showing remarkable commitment towards ending the AIDS epidemic, the Mayor of East Delhi, Meenakshi Suryavanshi, underwent voluntary testing for HIV in a testing camp in her constituency. The testing was done using rapid whole blood finger prick test kits in a HIV counselling and testing camp at Bhajanpura, Ramlila Ground, Delhi (East). The Mayor extended her support to the cause and encouraged people from her constituency, especially young people and women, to receive counselling and testing for HIV.
The free HIV testing camp was organized by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) India Cares, one of the largest global AIDS organizations providing medical care to people living with HIV. The objective of the camp is to spread awareness around voluntary HIV testing, implementation of HIV/AIDS counseling and referral services to vulnerable populations in Delhi and the National Capital region. The event was a part of AHF’s Global 20×20 campaign to engage in a multi-state community testing programme across India.
Earlier, on World AIDS Day, 1 December 2014, the East Delhi Mayor joined city leaders in Paris, France, to sign the Paris Declaration to end the AIDS epidemic in their cities. In her remarks at the event, the East Delhi Mayor had expressed recognition of the need to strengthen a range of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services, especially for women and children.
With the declaration, city leaders have committed to taking fast-track action towards achieving UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets: 90% of people living with HIV knowing their HIV status; 90% of people who know their HIV-positive status on antiretroviral treatment; and 90% of people on treatment with suppressed viral loads.
On World AIDS Day, UNAIDS also released a report on HIV in cities. The Cities Report outlines the important role urban areas will play in ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. The report includes a profile of 12 cities.
The UNAIDS Cities Report also features testimonies from community activists, health workers and public officials who have been at the forefront of the AIDS response in the world’s cities, including a profile of the Governor of Bangkok, Thailand.
[END]
Contact
UNAIDS Bangkok | Saya Oka | okas@unaids.org
UNAIDS India | tawilo@unaids.org
Before the departure of the mayor to Paris, the UNAIDS Country Office organised an interaction for the Mayor of East Delhi with Social Activists working for the rights of people living with HIV.
The UNAIDS Country Director, Mr Oussama Tawil called upon the Mayor of Mumbai City, Ms Snehal Ambekar at Municipality Headquarters on 28 Nov 2014. The Leader of the House, Corporations, and others were present during the meeting. UNAIDS made a commitment to cooperate with Municipal Corporation of Mumbai to work on AIDS.
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners to maximize results for the AIDS response. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.