combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

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1 MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL #6 scic comic saskatchewan council for international cooperation combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases series IN THIS ISSUE - MOSHUMS SADDEST STORY

2 Millennium Development Goal # 6 : Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other Dieases What are these diseases and how can we stop them? HIV/AIDS refers to Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome. HIV is the virus that leads to AIDS, and is transmitted when infected blood or other fluids come in contact with another s. There is hope, however. Rates of new HIV infections are declining very gradually, and more people than ever are receiving anti-retroviral therapies to help treat their illness. Malaria is an infection caused by a parasite. It is most common in tropical countries and is often carried by mosquitoes and injected into the blood of those they bite. While this illness continues to kill millions of people every year, there are signs of hope here as well. Thanks to prevention programs by the UN and other organizations, more and more people in tropical countries have access to mosquito netting. Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs. Symptoms include chronic cough, fever, and night sweats. The TB germ enters your body as you breathe. It usually settles in your lungs. It can be prevented through vaccinations, especially in children. TB is often thought of in North America as an illness of the past, something that affected generations before us, but it is still a problem throughout the developing world. Quick facts HIV/AIDS Every day 8000 people die from AIDS Every day 7,500 new people become infected with HIV. 15 million children have lost one or both of their parents to HIV/ AIDS. TUBERCULOSIS (TB) TB still kills two million people every year, especially in developing countries where vaccinations and other prevention programs are not available. TB has decreased in all parts of the world except Sub-Saharan Africa. MALARIA Malaria infects 500 million people each year and kills more than one million annually. 90% of malaria cases occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. In households that have mosquito nets malaria infection rates decrease by 70%. Sources: (source: United Nations MDG Report 2008) scic saskatchewan council for international cooperation

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7 WHAT YOU CAN DO: VOLUNTEER FOR A LOCAL ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS ON HIV/AIDS OR OTHER ILLNESSES: Organizations like AIDS Saskatoon and APSS often have volunteer programs where you can help with everything from fundraising to public education. Call a local disease prevention and support organization today to see how you can help. REDUCE STIGMA ABOUT DISEASE: People sometimes treat people with HIV/AIDS and other illnesses with disrespect, usually because they are afraid or don't understand the illness. This disrespect or social stigma makes it more difficult for individuals who are sick to deal with and manage their illness. This can decrease the likelihood that they will seek out treatment or support because they don't know how others will react to them. It also affects social responses to the illness which can lead to a decrease in support for HIV/AIDS organizations to carry out education, treatment and awareness. You can help reduce stigma and discrimination by informing yourself about HIV/AIDS and other diseases, and then educating others which will dispel the common myths about these illnesses. KNOW YOUR HEALTH STATUS: It is important for all Canadians to know that they are in fact healthy. Have regular check-ups with your doctor to ensure that you will be able to stay strong to help in the world s fight against disease. Some Organizations and campaigns that work to combat disease: STEPHEN LEWIS FOUNDATION: The Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) supports communitybased organizations that are turning the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa. They provide care to women who are ill and struggling to survive; assist orphans and other AIDS affected or infected children; reach heroic grandmothers who almost single-handedly care for their orphaned grandchildren; and sustain associations of people living with HIV and AIDS. UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA United Church of Canada works in Brazil and other countries to fight for human rights and to reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. They train leaders in communities to educate others about HIV/AIDS and promote human rights and access to public health services. LEPROSY MISSION OF CANADA The Leprosy Mission Canada provides care and support to leprosy patients in many parts of the world. Currently, their work is focused on programs in India, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. They also do public education and awareness campaigns in Canada. AIDS SASKATOON & AIDS PROGRAMS SOUTH SASKATCHEWAN (APSS) Based in Regina and Saskatoon, but together serving all of Saskatchewan, these organizations provide support to those affected by HIV/AIDS through one-on-one and group support, and drop-in programs. They also educate the public to help prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections through workshops in schools and communities. AIDS Saskatoon: or APSS: scic saskatchewan council for international cooperation

8 scic saskatchewan council for international cooperation Credits: Comic art work: Allan Dotson Comic Storyline: Tracey Mitchell This comic is part of an ongoing project of SCIC Youth. Comics will be produced for each of the UN Millennium Development Goals. Please watch for future issues with new characters in the coming months! Please contact us for more information or to order copies: SCIC 2138 McIntyre St. Regina, SK. S4P 2R7 Ph: (306) SCIC Saskatoon #208, st St.E. Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C2 Ph: (306) The millennium development goals At the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000, 189 Governments signed the Millennium Declaration on behalf of the countries they represented. Eight millennium development goals were adopted, committing rich and poor countries to work together in a global partnership to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, ensure that all boys and girls complete primary school, promote gender equality, improve the health of mothers and children, reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases, and protect the environment all by Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 2. Achieve universal primary education 3. Promote gender equality and empower women 4. Reduce child mortality 5. Improve maternal health 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases 7. Ensure environmental sustainability 8. Develop a global partnership for development UN Targets for MDG #6 : Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other diseases Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/ AIDS. Achieve, by 2010, universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all who need it. Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other diseases. Produced with the support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).