Shadow Minister for Health Catherine King today marked World AIDS Day, welcoming this year’s theme of Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths.
“Today is an important occasion to reaffirm our efforts to support those affected by HIV and to work towards its eradication,” Ms King said.
Increasing awareness through education and investment in medical research is critical in ensuring that Australia makes the necessary advances in science that has seen death rates from AIDS fall over recent decades.
“In Australia over 1,000 new HIV infections occur each year. Australia has an obligation to continue to play its part in combating AIDS domestically and across the region.”
In conjunction with World AIDS Day, the 20th International AIDS Conference will be held in Melbourne over six days in July 2014.
“Bringing together 18,000 policy makers, health experts, business and community leaders from across the world, the conference will provide an opportunity for delegates to work together on advancing prevention, support, treatment and the eventual eradication of HIV infections.”
“I commend the vision of an AIDS-free generation by 2015.”
More information on World AIDS Day and the 20th International AIDS Conference is available at http://www.worldaidsday.org.au/internet/wad/Publishing.nsf/content/home