People should know whether they are infected with the HI virus or not. This knowledge is essential to contain the epidemic. For Johannes Klemm, Africa team leader at Mission 21, it is therefore particularly important to improve prevention and education in order to prevent new infections. "Especially among young people in Africa, for example in Tanzania, we see a great need to catch up."
Even today, AIDS sufferers are discriminated against, carriers of the HI virus are stigmatized by society and limits are set for those affected so that they do not have access to the necessary health services or even HIV tests. This affects an estimated 10 million people worldwide. They are the ones who can pass on the virus if education is not provided. Even today, 1.8 million are infected with HIV each year, according to UNAIDS.
Committed to the Medicus Mundi network
To mark World AIDS Day, Mission 21 is joining forces with other Swiss organizations in the Medicus Mundi network to improve awareness and prevention. Tests enable HIV sufferers to gain a higher quality of life thanks to the necessary medical treatment. However, the call for testing is only successful if it is accompanied by a commitment against taboo and discrimination, the member organizations of Medicus Mundi agree. This also includes protecting the sexual and reproductive rights of those affected. Johannes Klemm also emphasizes that working against discrimination against HIV-positive people also helps orphans whose parents died of AIDS. That is why Mission 21 is committed to the HIV continental program in Africa for people affected by HIV as well as for AIDS orphans.
â–º Media release of the Medicus Mundi Switzerland Network on World AIDS Day 2018
