Statement at the Launching of the National AIDS Council

"Among the critical lessons that have emerged out of this experience has been the necessity to overcome the denial often associated with the disease. For quite some time, many of our societies had refused to accept that the pandemic is with us. There was a tendency to externalize and demonize it, and when it struck, to give it a different characterization or even to conceal the occurrence. The consequences of such an attitude contributed a lot to the spread of this fatal disease. Proactive action requires acknowledging its existence and avoiding inhibitions in dealing with it. It also requires that we all recognize that despite all the efforts made, for the present, there is no cure for this pandemic." - Dr. Salim, April 22, 2000