On the first of December 2012, Jorien Breur, a fourth year medical student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY, who is currently working at the Clinica de la Familia in La Romana, took part in an awareness event as part of World AIDS Day. Here Jorien shares with us the latest on this worldwide pandemic – including the news that this situation is now improving.
World AIDS Day: What does the future hold? By Jorien Breur
World AIDS Day, observed on 1 December every year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. In the 30 years since the disease emerged, more than 30 million people have died and twice as many have been infected with HIV. However, rather than focus on the destruction that HIV has left in its wake, I hope to share how a disease that once made us feel helpless can make us feel hopeful – and even proud.
I am heartened by the recent statistics from UNAIDS that tell a promising story – 6.65 million people receiving treatment and a 25% drop in new infections across the worst-affected countries since 2001. Increased access to HIV-care services resulted in a reduction of new infections from 3.1 million in 2001 to 2.7 million in 2010, and a 22% decline in AIDS-related deaths in the past 5 years. Nearly half of pregnant women living with the HIV received prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in 2010.
In our own community, Clínica de Familia La Romana was the first clinic in the country to provide antiretroviral treatment to pregnant women to prevent vertical transmission of HIV in 1999. In 2004 the clinic expanded its provision of antiretroviral treatment to women, men, and children with HIV-one of the first clinics to do so in the country. Today they continue to be looked at as a model for HIV care in the country by offering support services – employing a psychologist and peer adherence counselor as well as organizing support groups and an annual summer camp for children and adolescents with HIV. In recognition of World AIDS Day they offered the public free confidential HIV testing and counseling at the La Romana Provincial Health Office.
What can you do?
World AIDS Day is an important reminder to individuals and governments that HIV has not gone away – currently 33.4 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. There is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. As an individual, you can wear a red ribbon to raise awareness. 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.
You can find more information about Clínica de Familia La Romana and the services they provide at: www.clinicadefamilia.org.do
This article was contributed by Jorien Breur
Jorien Breur is a fourth year medical student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY. She was awarded a Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship which allows her to take a year off from traditional medical school coursework and experience clinical research firsthand. She will be spending the upcoming year doing research at Clínica de Familia La Romana and experiencing life in the Dominican Republic.
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