By 2000, the HIV/AIDS crisis had created more than 13 million orphans worldwide, children who before the age of 15 lost either their mother or both parents to AIDS. More than 90 percent of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa (UNAIDS 2000a:27) (see Figure 1). Before AIDS, about 2 percent of children living in developing countries were orphans (UNAIDS 2000a:27-28). Today, in eight sub-Saharan countries, more than 20 percent of all children under 15 are orphans of AIDS or other causes of death, a situation that will prevail in 11 countries by 2010 (Hunter 2000:164).
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Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (Aids) is a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The late stages of this condition often leave individuals prone to opportunistic infections and tumors. Up-to-date, this is still known as an incurable disease. We often hear of the confounding numbers of deaths, as a result of aids and divert attention from the after-effects of these digits. Economic and political problems arising from AIDS are often given prerogatives, as compared to social issues such as public healthcare. This article draws us into the social sector regarding the underlying challenges faced by orphans whose parents were struck with Aids.
As shown in the article, more than 13 million children were orphaned by AIDS Worldwide, in a bid to provide these orphans with better living conditions and education. Although Aids has already been a troubling global issue which displays passive increment in the numbers of affected patients over time, the orphan crisis spirals into another complex issue affecting all nations. Many of these AIDS orphans survive under conditions such as poverty, malnutrition and lack of basic necessities, including education. These devastating living conditions affect the children’ emotional mindsets adversely, providing them with an unfavorable growing environment. This in turn, suggests the possible bleakness in future technological and economic growth. The immense significance of their impact on a nation’s economy is indubitable, especially in countries such as Sub-Saharan Africa, where more than 12 million children turned into orphans for this core reason. In third-world nations like Sub-Saharan Africa, an estimation cost of $1.2-$2.3 billion is needed to mount effective prevention campaigns; developing countries’ trivial economic growth possesses itself a hefty difficulty. Compounded with the under-estimated powers of AIDS to spread among people, this orphan crisis is not an individual nation’s issue. It involves global attention, be it to prevent the spread of this disease in their countries or abet third-world nations in combating this incurable disease.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS#Transmission_and_preventionIn relation to the table shown above, the chances of successive infections of HIV remain as highly notable percentiles. The table shows how HIV can be transferred from spouses, children, relatives, friends or even non-related members. The simple act of needle sharing presents itself a high carrier of the disease; this illness can be spread merely through unknown nationals who share the infected desterilized injection needle. Communications and transportations in today’s context, encouraged rapid extension of this disease to other individuals overseas. The whole vicious cycle of how this disease spreads repeats itself at infinite intervals, until a solution is introduced. The easy transmissions of this disease speak of its capability to influence public health and in turn, economy adversely. Fortunately, international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) takes the lead by initiating scale-up HIV prevention measures, ensuring minimal spreading of this incurable disease. These efforts serve, other than to reduce the number of infected patients, but also improve the lives of orphans.
Relating the problem of AIDS to Singapore, this issue certainly does not play as significant a role as it does in Sub-Saharan Africa but its existence is noticeable. Education programs undertaken to educate young pupils and students aim to generate foundations and knowledge regarding this disease and early education instills greater value in teenagers today. While WHO has actively participated in combating the spread of AIDS, marketing corporations such as Body Shop had introduced its recent campaigns to raise awareness of AIDS in its marketing retail outlets worldwide.
(See The Body Shop: http://www.thebodyshop.com/bodyshop/global/content.jsp?page=spraytochange&cm_re=Slots-_-Slot4-_-default) One example includes the “STOP HIV: SPRAY TO CHANGE ATTITUDES” campaign which is exemplified in the source above. Proceeds of this campaign will go towards raising awareness about HIV and AIDS amongst the general public, and will support programs run with young people around the world, helping equip the most vulnerable and at-risk to stay safe, and alive. With international marketing corporations treating AIDS as a tool for monetary progression, alongside with creating awareness, every nation works together to prevent the spread of AIDS. The Body Shop has 50 over markets worldwide and this vigorous campaign ignites the positive outlook towards the current situation of the spreading of AIDS and shows how different industry sectors may play a part in advocating “safe sex”. Compared to the past where knowledge regarding AIDS was passed through dry lectures, The Body Shop allows information to be conveyed efficiently and is a fresh action taken for majority. While consumers patronize The Body Shop which has franchises at 50 different markets, consciousness of this disease is raised simultaneously.
It is rather amazing how a single disease such as AIDS can influence numerous countries and attain global recognition. The signficance and impact of AIDS on a global scale explains why different countries, including marketing organizations, are playing extensive roles in combating the spread of AIDS. Hopefully with unity of the nations and corporations, a cure can be discovered for this incurable disease and the futures of young orphans take for an optimistic turn.
Done By: Sharon (Environmental and Health Expert) =)
