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The Department of Health has launched a series of publicity activities on World AIDS Day (WAD) 2006, to raise public awareness on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and promote safer sex practice.
Speaking at the launch ceremony today (December 1), the Acting Director of Health, Dr P Y Leung, said that WAD was dedicated to raising awareness of the global AIDS epidemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and the theme this year is 'Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise'.
He called on the community to work together in the fight against the disease.
"To tie in with the theme, the department's Special Preventive Programme has organised a variety of promotional activities to raise the awareness on HIV/AIDS, and members of the community are also urged to show their support for and acceptance of people living with HIV," Dr Leung said.
Noting that sexual transmission accounted for 80% of the HIV infection cases in Hong Kong, Dr Leung said the proper use of condoms could effectively prevent AIDS and sexually-transmitted diseases. It was recognised by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) as the single most efficient, available technology to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
In view of this, the department will maintain the momentum on promoting the proper use of condoms among adults via the 'Safer Sex Campaign' this year.
Dr Leung said that the concerted efforts of the community and non-government organisations could keep the number of new HIV infections in Hong Kong at a low level. However, recent data on reported cases and surveillance showed that there was an increase in the cases among certain communities, in particular the MSM (Men having Sex with Men) group.
"We are very concerned about this and efforts are being made by various concerned parties to tackle the situation," he said.
Dr Leung thanked Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) for its assistance in jointly organising today's event. The premiere of promotional videos on AIDS/HIV produced by RTHK was also shown to the participants during the ceremony.
Publicity events in the coming months include the launching on television and trains of the re-edited 'Dom Dom' API on safer sex. Advertisements on safer sex and AIDS hotline will be put up in bars, pubs and public transports, including Lo Wu KCR station. Radio programmes and school visits will be arranged to disseminate the health messages to students and the general public. Further details can be found in the dedicated website on AIDS (http://www.aids.gov.hk).
Other officiating guests included the Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mr Patrick Nip; the Chairman of the HK Advisory Council on AIDS, Professor C N Chen; Chairman of the Council for the AIDS Trust Fund, Professor T K Chan; UNAIDS Special Representative, Miss Miriam Yeung Chin-wah; and Head of Radio II of RTHK, Mr Clarence Yang.
Ends/Friday, December 1, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:09
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