World Aids Day 2023: Let Youth Communities Take Charge!

Today marks the 35th annual celebration of World Aids Day. This year’s theme is” Let Communities Lead.”

In the continent, the youth make up approximately 70% of the population making Africa to having the youngest population globally. In this regard, the youth play a major role while living with and among people with HIV. The WHO African region office is commemorating this day in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe as they remember the lives lost to the virus as well as visit a community initiative in the country.

In the country, the day is being held at Kinoru Stadium, Meru county following increased teenage pregnancies in the county presided over by health CS Susan Nakhumicha. This year alone with adolescents aged between 10-19 years; 88,853 have the infection with 3,244 in this category contracting the virus.

“Currently, 348,408 Kenyan men and 807,576 women are on ARVs”. – NSDCC

According to the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) adults aged 15-24 years, the number of HIV infections stands at 145,142, while new HIV infections recorded stand at 7,307. Nyanza, Western, and Coast regions continue to lead in the number of positive cases. NSCDC is the national council mandated to manage syndemic diseases like HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Young people are at the forefront of numerous cases and our indulgence in unprotected sexual activities puts us at risk of contracting the virus. This year’s theme is a clarion call to lead in the fight against aids and being supportive of those with the virus. We are responsible for lowering the viral load. Let us take charge and know our HIV status as we lead and take charge as a community.