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PSI stand at the WAD commemoration last year

Getting To Zero
Background of World Aids Campaign
World Aids Day is commemorated on December 1 each year. It is a day specifically set aside to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, call for action in the national response to HIV and celebrate successes which have been achieved in accessing HIV prevention and management services.

The day was first commemorated as World Aids Day in 1988 when the World Health Organisation designated it so. The day has since moved from being celebrated on a single day to a campaign which runs throughout the year.

World Aids Day commemorations and campaigns in Zimbabwe are held under the leadership and facilitation of the National Aids Council (NAC) in a multi-sectoral framework that brings together government, United Nations agencies, civil society, business, religious sector and Aids service organisations.

Objectives of  the World Aids Campaign

•  To raise and strengthen HIV and Aids awareness.

• To call for action and commitment to HIV and Aids national response.

•  To take stock of progress in the national response to HIV and Aids.

World Aids Campaign In Zimbabwe
World Aids Day commemorations and campaigns in Zimbabwe are held under the leadership and facilitation of the National Aids Council in a multi-sectoral framework that brings together government, United National agencies, civil society, Aids Service Organisations,  business  and religious sectors.

Venue of WAD Commemorations
The venue for the WAD commemoration is decided through a provincial rotational policy. Since 2000 when this policy was introduced all provinces have managed to host the event

Theme
The 2011 to 2015  World AIDS Campaign is Getting To Zero: Zero new infections. Zero deaths. Zero Discrimination.

What theme aims to achieve
Getting To Zero HIV new infections

•  New sexual transmissions of HIV are prevented

• Parent to child transmission of HIV is eliminated

• New HIV infections among people who use drugs are prevented

Getting to Zero Aids related deaths

• Universal access to antiretroviral therapy for HIV infected  people who are in need it.

•  Tuberculosis deaths among people living with HIV are prevented

•  People infected and affected with HIV have access to care and support and are covered in all national social protection strategies.

Getting To Zero Discrimination

•  People infected and affected with HIV are treated with respect and dignity.

WAC Campaign message

My Responsibility Your Responsibility.

The campaign message is focusing on individuals to take full responsibility of their health as far as HIV and Aids is concerned.

Organizations and institutions need to provide an enabling environment for the country to achieve universal access.

My Responsibility
It is an individual responsibility to:
(a) Adopt safer sexual behaviour and reduction in risk behaviour through:

•  Consistent and correct use of condoms

•  Being faithful to one sexual partner

• Practising abstinence

(b) Increased utilisation of HIV and Aids services

• Getting tested and knowing one’s HIV status

•  Accessing Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) services

•  Accessing Elimination of Mother To Child Transmission (EMTCT) services

•  Accessing Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

(c)    Positive Living

•  Accessing Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and Opportunistic services early

•  Adhering to ART

• Eating a balanced diet.