World AIDS Day Testing Centers Open

On December first Belize joins the global commemoration of World AIDS Day. This year, the theme is “End Inequalities, End AIDS, End Pandemics.” The National AIDS Commission says if Belize is to help keep the international promise of ending AIDS by 2030, the task of ending inequalities must be seen as a matter of urgency. The Commission says Belize has seen some progress, but there is still concern about new infections, particularly among men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, victims of gender-based violence and youths. They add that inequalities, stigma and discrimination often prevent these key and vulnerable populations from accessing prevention, testing, and treatment services.  There will be an HIV/AIDS testing drive countrywide and the National Aids Commission has released an info-graphic schedule with locations for those who want to check their HIV/AIDS status on December first.