President urges nation to fight AIDS

none 05 Dec 2006 – 15:38 (modified on 29 Jan 2007 – 14:03)

by mlepeska

President Yushenko

Please see below to read President Yushchenko’s World AIDS Day Address.

Dear fellow citizens,

Today, on World AIDS Day, the international community is uniting to evaluate its efforts to resist this deadly disease.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is spreading rapidly throughout the world, posing a real threat to the human race. Our country remains by far Europe’s worst affected region, with an estimated 100,000 people currently living with HIV/AIDS of which 10,000 are children. Every day, the virus attacks forty citizens of our country and eight people die of AIDS. Such data shock and leave no one indifferent.

To appreciate the consequences of the epidemic, it is vital to institute medical, social and educational reforms, and to build cooperation between the government and the people, international organizations and NGOs, which should join their efforts to combat the epidemic.

The responsibility of all individuals for their behavior and relatives becomes particularly important.

We must launch a massive educational campaign to forewarn teenagers of the dangers of trying drugs. The easiest and the cheapest way to minimize the risk of getting HIV is to adhere to the everlasting values of family fidelity and respect.

I urge each citizen, ministers, NGOs, business people, medical workers, educators and religious leaders to make a consistent and daily contribution to the cause of fighting the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Ukraine. We must be tolerant, support the people affected by this evil and never create obstacles in their way.

I would like to give my support to the HIV-positive people: the creation of the National Network of People Living with HIV is an example of courage and hope. Your firm determination to fight the disease and your active cooperation with state institutions and NGOs become a powerful factor in combating the epidemic and help save each individual living with HIV.

I assure all citizens of Ukraine that I oversee the projects to fight HIV/AIDS in Ukraine. Together we will win.

Victor Yushchenko

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