News Release
December 1st, 2003
Statement by Health Minister A. Anne McLellan
Today, the sixteenth World AIDS Day, is a time to think of the millions of people around
the world living with HIV/AIDS and to remember those who have lost their lives to the disease.
It is also a time to recognize the countless individuals, including caregivers, researchers,
health care professionals and community workers, who strive to help those affected by the
epidemic and to find ways to alleviate its impact.
The numbers are staggering: around the world some 42 million people are living with HIV/AIDS.
In 2002 alone, there were an estimated 5 million new infections and 3.1 million people
died.
Canada can claim many successes, both at home and abroad. However, we are still not getting
ahead of the epidemic. Recent evidence tells us that many Canadians have come to believe
that HIV/AIDS is no longer a threat and that safer sex practices are not being used consistently.
Clearly, we must continue to get the message out that HIV/AIDS is a serious health threat
in Canada, that it is fatal and that it does not discriminate.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to grow in scope and complexity. It affects many groups
including gay men, Aboriginal people, injection drug users, people in prisons and people
from countries where HIV is endemic. Infection rates for women also continue to be high.
Approximately 56,000 people are living with HIV in Canada, more than ever before. Treatment
failures are becoming commonplace and new strains of the virus are appearing. An alarming
17,000 people do not know that they are infected so are unable to engage in prevention
efforts or to receive appropriate care.
More than twenty years into the epidemic, stigma and discrimination continue to play a
significant role in the spread of the virus. Fear of stigma and discrimination discourage
many people from being tested and from seeking essential care and treatment. Unless we
eliminate these attitudes, they will continue to undermine our progress in the fight against
HIV/AIDS.
Today is also Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Day in Canada. The rate of HIV infection among
the Aboriginal population remains disproportionately high. Health Canada is working with
Aboriginal peoples on many fronts to fight the epidemic among Inuit, First Nations and
Métis.
In 1998, the federal government along with its partners launched the Canadian Strategy
on HIV/AIDS (CSHA) - a pan-Canadian approach to tackling the epidemic - with annual funding
of $42.2 million. Health Canada recently completed a five-year review of the CSHA to assess
what we have learned over the last 5 years and to identify future directions for the strategy.
Canadians involved in the response are also being consulted on a new action plan to revitalize
Canada's efforts to combat the epidemic. This plan will enhance Canada's ability to implement
the United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS. I am confident that the plan,
once finalized, will help guide us collectively as we continue the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Today, as we reflect on the epidemic, we also need to look ahead and to consider how Canada's
response to the disease can be strengthened and made more effective and inclusive.
The red ribbon is the international symbol of HIV/AIDS. I ask you to wear one today in
support of those living with the disease and those working to stop it. Wear one to show
that you are doing your part to defeat the epidemic. Wear one to show that you care.
- 30 -
Media Inquiries:
Farah Mohamed
Office of Anne McLellan
Minister of Health
(613) 957-1694
|
