Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament raising awareness of World AIDS Day.
Saturday the 1st of December marks the 25th annual World AIDS Day, in 1988 it became the first global health awareness day.
The main goal of the campaign is to show support for those suffering with HIV/AIDS and to commemorate and remember those who have died at the hands of the disease.
The Parliamentary Motion reads as:
That the Parliament recognises 1 December 2012 as World AIDS Day; understands that AIDS is a real problem in Scotland and throughout the world, with 90,000 people in the UK affected; urges education about HIV, acknowledging that HIV is spread in four main ways, through unprotected sex, sharing needles, mother to baby infection and infected blood; congratulates World AIDS Day for 25 years of raising awareness; acknowledges World AIDS Day as the first ever global health day; hopes that this latest event can help reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS; encourages participation in World AIDS Day activities, and promotes the wearing of a red AIDS ribbon on World AIDS Day.
Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said:
“More than 25 million people have died globally as a result of AIDS between 1981 and 2007. In submitting this motion I hope to increase the awareness of a disease that has been out of the headlines but is still, unfortunately, as life threatening as ever.
“World AIDS Day has been a positive driver in breaking down barriers regarding AIDS. Removing the stigma and discrimination associated with AIDS is vital when providing a supportive arm for sufferers.
“World AIDS Day is an opportunity for everyone to learn the facts. In understanding how AIDS is transmitted we can learn how to prevent it. It is also an opportunity to show our support and solidarity with sufferers by wearing the red ribbon.
“The efforts of the ‘World AIDS Day’ charity extends far beyond this one day, but in publicising this global event we can support their efforts throughout the year.”