The Cabildo of Lanzarote hosted this Thursday, December 1, on the occasion of World AIDS Day, the presentation of the HIV prevention campaign carried out by the Lánzate Association with the collaboration of the Youth area of the institution.
The Councilor for Equality of the island corporation, Myriam Barros, emphasized the need to "guarantee access to HIV diagnosis and other sexually transmitted diseases to all people who need it", as well as to "articulate social protection mechanisms that guarantee these people access to basic resources and also to end the stigma they suffer".
"In Spain, the late diagnosis figures are still unacceptably high," added Barros, stressing that "early diagnosis and early initiation of treatment are the best tools to preserve people's health".
She also stressed the importance of "promoting awareness of society and involving it in the fight against HIV".
"We must continue to be active, relentlessly, in the response to HIV," concluded the Councilor for Equality, who was accompanied by the Councilor for Social Rights, Isabel Martín.
Tests and awareness activities
The president of the Lánzate Association, Nahúm Cabrera, pointed out that in Spain there are 150,000 people living with HIV, noting that "in Lanzarote there will be approximately 600 survivors and another 300 in Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis treatments", that is, people who take medication because, although they do not have HIV, they are at risk of contracting the disease.
Therefore, from Lánzate, with funding from the Cabildo of Lanzarote, a campaign is carried out throughout the year, which is intensified these days. This campaign includes tests for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, as well as social awareness activities and information on sexual health for the entire population of the island, with special emphasis on young people.
"It is a care campaign," said Nahúm Cabrera, who explained that it is processed through the Rainbow Line service, through the telephone 928 80 66 11. By calling this number you can make an appointment for testing, as well as you can also request it through the website www.saludlanzarote.com.
Living with HIV
Likewise, the president of Lánzate announced that this year, on the occasion of World AIDS Day, an event will also be held at the Insular Library, in which real testimonies of people living with HIV will be presented.
This event will take place this Friday, December 2, at 7:00 p.m., and will feature the participation of Iván Garrido, Aythami Caraballo, Ana Rosa González, Belén Lamuedra and Nahúm Cabrera himself.
Finally, the president of the Lánzate Association wanted to recognize, on this day, the activist and doctor of the association, Jesús Rojas, who passed away last October.
