the way the Elton John Aids Foundation "doesn't discriminate and will help anyone, anywhere at risk or living with HIV".

In his keynote address, Bio said as indication of his government's commitment to eradicate HIV is that it had declared the disease a public health concern.

There were 208 new cases of the virus in 2018, a steady decline from 437 cases in 2004, according to the province.

The government has said it has been relentless in its mission to turn the HIV, Aids and TB epidemics around, and that there were notable achievements to celebrate.

Pieterse says people should use the day to educate themselves on the virus.

Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo said the department had made considerable progress in addressing HIV and Aids over the past 20 years, with increased lifeexpectancy and lowered HIV-related mortality rates.

In Uganda, the "fear factor" once associated with HIV/AIDS has disappeared, and the country commemorated the 2019 World AIDS Day at Busaana Playground, in central Kayunga District, under the theme "Engaging Young People to champion the end of new HIV infections", with a focus on young people.

She says local research has accelerated the province's efforts to reduce the impacts of what was once a death sentence.