World AIDS Day luncheon set for Friday in downtown Albany

ALBANY — An infectious disease specialist from Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie is set to be the keynote speaker at a luncheon scheduled in recognition of World AIDS Day Friday at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Albany.

The luncheon is scheduled for noon-2 p.m.

Dr. Tamara Johnson, who is also a hospitalist at Colquitt Regional, will speak about AIDS during the free lunch and lecture.

“UNAIDS estimates that more than 9.4 people living with HIV do not know their status,” Remy Hutchins, the infectious disease program director for the Southwest Public Health District, said.

Data from AIDSVu say there are approximately 49,500 people living with HIV in Georgia. Health officials say there is no safe and effective cure that currently exists, but with proper medical care, HIV can be managed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone in the United States ages 13-64 get tested at least once as part of routine medical care. People at high risk for HIV should get tested at least once a year.

Free, fast, confidential HIV testing is available at county health departments, Hutchins said

The Southwest Public Health District had 26 deaths in 2015 due to HIV/AIDS, followed by 25 deaths in 2016 and 25 deaths in 2017. A large number of these deaths were in Dougherty County, including 13 in 2015, 10 in 2016 and 10 last year, data from the Georgia Department of Public Health Office of Health Indicators for Planning show.

The luncheon comes ahead of the actual World AIDS Day, which is being observed on Saturday. The observation is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic and mourning those who have died of the disease.

Space for the luncheon is limited, so persons interested in attending should make reservations by calling (229) 638-6428. The Hilton Garden Inn is located at 101 S. Front St.

For more information on HIV testing, visit https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html.