Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 03, 2010 (SKNIS): While the message of HIV prevention has been around for several decades, this year’s theme zones in on the compassionate side of human emotion.

 
As noted by Minister Responsible for Health Honourable Marcella Liburd, the theme: Show me Love. Love is Honest, Respectful, Protective, “encourages us to reflect on what true love means in the context of a relationship, to view our current relationships through an HIV lens and to demand and reciprocate integrity, respect and protection in these interactions as a right and expectation of partners.”
 

This year’s World AIDS Campaign commenced with the Annual AIDS March on November 26, 2010, which was followed by a Talk Show on the People’s Show on ZIZ Television on World AIDS Day, December 01.  Upcoming activities include the Annual Island Wide Whistle Stop on December 13, the National Testing Day on December 15 in Independence Square and an HIV/AIDS themed “Island Expressions” which showcases lyrical poetry and music on December 16.  As customary, there will be participation in National Carnival / Sugar Mas.
 

One innovative activity, dubbed Ride the Bus involves Health Educators randomly journeying on a bus for an entire route.  While on the vehicle, they will educate the passengers on HIV/AIDS issues and distribute material.  This event runs from November 29 to December 10.  Similarly the Media Campaign runs from November to January 2011 and involved health educators making appearances on various radio and television programmes.