Walsall residents encouraged to ‘respect and protect’

Staff from NHS Walsall Community Health were in Walsall town centre on Monday 1 December promoting the motto ‘respect and protect’ in support of National Worlds Awareness Day. More people than ever before are living with HIV and the aim of the day was to raise awareness of HIV in order to stop the prejudice that surrounds it and encourage residents to stop the spread of HIV and other STI infections by always using condom.

Dr. J.Arumainayagam, Consultant in GU Medicine & HIV for Walsall Hospitals  NHS Trust, said: ‘There are 33 million people living with HIV worldwide with 2.7 million new cases diagnosed in 2007. Two million people died in 2007, due to HIV. In the UK, the number of people living with HIV has trebled in the last decade and of the 80,000 cases, 7,700 cases were diagnosed in 2007.  This figure does not include a third of the cases which still remain undiagnosed and often present late, with very poor outcome. Reasons for not coming forward for testing include fear, prejudices that still exist and ignorance. Therefore we need to ensure that people do come forward for testing, to prevent complications and also prevent onward transmission. Prevention is vital and we must  to continue to promote safe sex messages targeting at-risk groups as those at risk still continue to practice unsafe sex.’

Staff were handing out leaflets about HIV and Red Ribbons which represent the international symbol of support for people living with HIV.  

Anyone who is worried about HIV or aids can get free and confidential information from The Hatherton Centre on 01922 775041 or Sexual Health Centre on 01922 633341.