Today is being celebrated as World AIDS Day and the Ministry of Health has again urged Jamaicans who are sexually active to get tested for HIV/AIDS.

There are currently 40 million people infected with HIV/AIDS around the world and in Jamaica there are approximately 25,000 people living with the disease. This figure represents 2,000 more than last year. And of the 25,000 living with HIV/AIDS, 15,000 are not aware of their status.

This year's activities will take place under the theme 'Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise-Get Tested', a continuation of last year's theme, which focused on the importance of testing in controlling HIV.

Voluntary testing

Professor Peter Figueroa, Chief of Epidemiology and AIDS in the Ministry of Health, said voluntary testing is important as this is the only way persons will know their status and take the necessary precautions.

The culmination of the activities to observe World AIDS Day 2006 will be a national event at Emancipation Park.

This event has been dubbed National HIV Testing Day and the park will be transformed into a Mecca of HIV testing.

The event will be opened for all interested in knowing their status. And there will be no one-week wait involved. Test results will be available within 30 minutes and through a highly-efficient and confidential system.

Teachers, and students will today observe the significance of World AIDS Day with several sensitisation activities in the nation's schools.

Several other activities are to be held across the island to commemorate World AIDS Day.