The emotional ceremony was graced by the Minister of Health and Child Care, Douglas Mombeshora represented by Chief Director, Curative Services in the Ministry, Maxwell Hove.
The Memorial is a significant event held annually to honour and remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS. The memorial falls on the eve of World AIDS Day, which is observed on December 1st of every year.
The International memorial has been taking place since 1983 and is one of the world’s oldest and largest grassroots mobilisation campaigns for HIV awareness.
It is a time for people to come together, light candles, and pay tribute to those who have passed away due to AIDS.
The event also serves as a platform to raise social consciousness about HIV and AIDS, break down barriers of stigma and discrimination, and give hope to new generations.
In his keynote address,Minister Mombeshora sais it was time that society broke down barriers to HIV interventions as he spoke strongly against the discrimination against those living with and affected by HIV.
“HIV has become like any other chronic disease such as hypertension and diabetes. We have not heard of any stigma against those living with diabetes and the same should apply to those living with HIV. The ministry of health has made significant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS and it is saddening in this day and age to have people being stigmatised for such,” he said.
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