World AIDS Day was conceptualised by James W Bunn and Thomas Netter, two information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland in 1987. The day also memorializes the ones who succumbed to AIDS related sickness. Photo courtesy: istock

According to the WHO, an estimated 38.4 million people are living with HIV, globally. In 2021, an estimated 1.5 million people acquired HIV and around 650 000 people died from AIDS-related causes. In the South-East Asia Region, an estimated 3.8 million people are living with HIV, accounting for around 10 per cent of the global burden. Photo courtesy: AFP

The theme for this year is "Equalize". Through this, UNAIDS aims to enhance the access of essential HIV testing, treatment and care for all inflicted with HIV. This comes as a response to disregard and lack of medical access experienced by people living with AIDS.  Photo courtesy: istock

According to statistics shared by India's National AIDS Control Organisation for 2019, an estimate of more than 23 lakh Indians continue to live with HIV AIDS, and Maharashtra had the highest number with 3.96 lakh people. To address this, national campaigns are staged to promote HIV testing, usage of contraceptives and informative conversations around AIDS. Photo courtesy: AFP

According to a latest mid-day report, the Mumbai District AIDS Control Society (MDACS), an autonomous body established by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will launch a site named E-Nirantar to provide information and online services by health experts, on the occasion of World AIDS Day in 2022. Photo courtesy: AFP