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The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, has underlined the need for public vigilance against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and called for continued support and active participation in the fight against AIDS.
Addressing the launch ceremony for the 2011 World AIDS Day Concert today (December 1), Dr Chow said the local HIV situation is constantly affected by external influence from neighbouring regions and the rest of the world.
Dr Chow encouraged members of the public and stakeholders to contribute views for the coming set of HIV/AIDS Strategies for 2012-16, for which the Hong Kong Advisory Council on AIDS is carrying out public consultation.
"The Government will allocate additional resources to strengthen control and preventive measures, maintain a high-quality treatment service and enhance exchanges and co-ordination with community organisations to tackle the situation," Dr Chow said.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Health, Dr P Y Lam, said that support from the wider community is essential to success in the fight against AIDS.
"To tie in with the theme of World AIDS Day, the Government and AIDS concerned parties are launching a series of activities to raise public awareness of the disease and promote acceptance of people living with HIV," Dr Lam said.
The publicity programme comprises a new TV and radio Announcement in the Public Interest; a radio programme and a newly composed theme song; a thematic photo and video competition; and bus body, cross-boundary coach and Internet advertising that will promote safer sex and HIV tests.
The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, wore a red ribbon pin today on World AIDS Day to spread the message of eliminating discrimination against AIDS patients and working together toward a reduced infection rate.
World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and demonstrates international solidarity in curbing the pandemic.
Before World AIDS Day, representatives from Hong Kong also took part in AIDS prevention variety shows in Macao on November 26 and in Shenzhen on November 30 to show support for China's AIDS prevention work.
This evening, the lighting of the Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts on opposite sides of Victoria Harbour was turned red for the first time. A campaign turning landmarks around the world, such as the London Eye and the New York Stock Exchange, red in colour is being staged on World AIDS Day to raise public awareness of HIV/AIDS and spread the vision to end transmission of HIV from mothers to babies by 2015.
Other officiating guests at the ceremony included the wife of the Chief Executive cum Patron of the Red Ribbon Centre, Mrs Selina Tsang; the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Thomas Tsang; the Deputy Director of the Shenzhen Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Ma Hanwu; the Secretary General of the AIDS Prevention and Control Commission, Macao Special Administrative Region, Dr Lam Chong; the Chairman of the Council for the AIDS Trust Fund, Dr Matthew Ng; the Chairman of the Red Ribbon Centre Management Advisory Committee, Professor Samuel Yu; and the Campaign Ambassadors, Mr Eric Suen and Mr Hins Cheung.
Ends/Thursday, December 1, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:08
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