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"Everyone has the shared responsibility not only to protect him or herself, their families and others from infection, but to show tolerance and compassion to those with the disease."
It is the responsibility of the communities to care for those living with HIV and AIDS and to educate their members about the epidemic. It is also the governments' responsibility to ensure that adequate resources are devoted to HIV and AIDS programmes and that all people, including the disadvantaged and vulnerable have access to available HIV and AIDS prevention and care programmes.
"1995 is a very significant year in the history of AIDS in Hong Kong because it has been a decade since the first case of AIDS was diagnosed. The photos in the exhibition show us that history in pictures," Mrs Patten said.
Also officiating at the ceremony were the Chairman of the Committee on the Education and Publicity on AIDS (CEPAIDS), Ms Carlye Tsui; the Director of Health, Dr Margaret Chan; and the Director of Information Services, Mrs Irene Yau.
Ms Carlye Tsui said she was concerned about the spread of AIDS in Hong Kong. "Since that first AIDS case was reported ten years ago, 602 people in Hong Kong have been infected by the HIV virus and of these 161 have developed AIDS. Many have died of AIDS complications," she said.
Ms Tsui added that the most effective way to fight against AIDS was through education, and that was the reason CEPAIDS was set up in 1987.
She said: "By targeting the general public, drug abusers, community groups, schools, and the youth of Hong Kong, we have helped to raise AIDS awareness significantly. And we intend to continue that fight until a cure is found."
The "10 Years of AIDS in Pictures" exhibition is jointly organised by the Committee on Education and Publicity on AIDS to commemorate the World AIDS Day 95. More than 90 memorable pictures of different aspects on AIDS are being be displayed in the exhibition.
The exhibition will be staged at the Plaza of the Headquarters of Hongkong Bank in Central from today until December 9. Members of the public are welcome to visit the exhibition.
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