Linden, NA sign declarations for zero new HIV infections

Uriel Dey (left) symbolically signing the declaration on behalf of New Amsterdam Mayor, Claude Henry. At right is Orrin Gordon, Chairperson, IMC Linden.

Two municipalities yesterday signed their first ever HIV/AIDS declaration with a vision of Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS-Related Deaths.

In a symbolic ceremony at the Umana Yana, the chairperson of the Interim Management Committee of the Linden Municipality, Orrin Gordon and a representative of Claude Henry, Mayor of New Amsterdam signed the declaration dubbed, `The Urban Health and Justice Initiative (HIV CITIES Project’’, which reaffirms their commitment to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support under a human rights framework.

The ceremony saw speakers from a cross-section of organisations inclusive of the Officer in charge, George Wachira of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); UNAIDS Resident Coordinator Roberto Campos; Dr. Shanti Singh of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat and keynote speaker,