Speech by Alfonso Gómez Sandoval, the Mayor of Oaxaca, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Frente Común’s Municipal AIDS Information Center, at Morelos 504, in downtown Oaxaca.

At the end of this year we are expecting a report from the Secretary of Health which will include the latest statistics on new cases of AIDS in Oaxaca this year.  The experts estimate that the "official" number of cases will be one to three hundred new cases.  These same experts also estimate that the actual number of cases is three to five times that official number.

            In addition, these numbers reflect cases of persons with AIDS.  For each case of AIDS there are eight to ten persons living with the virus VIH which causes AIDS.

            In addition, the number of persons with AIDS, and living with VIH, is tripling each year.  This is the same rate of increase seen around the world for this pandemic.

            It is certain, in a short time we shall find thousands of persons with AIDS in Oaxaca.

            At the present, ignorant of these developments and unheeding the news of this world-wide illness, Oaxaca has been complacent and unhurried in her response.  There is lacking today a sense of urgency in our work.

            How tragic it would be to wait until we all know someone with this illness before we feel a need to act.

            In the absence of a cure or vaccine, there is little, we think, we can do.  Nothing is further from the truth.

            How can we expect to slow this world-wide pandemic, here in Oaxaca?  On what can we call to our service in this long fight?

            I believe there is much:  our people are a proud people, educated, healthy and loving.  Oaxaqueños care deeply for each other.  The suffering of one is the suffering of all.

            Therefore let us call forth the finest in each of us.  Let our response be clear and strong.  From deep within the people comes a great need to respond, a response which is intelligent, creative, scientific and caring.

            Let all know, this city and this people are ready to fight this disease to the fullness of our resources.

            The good news is that AIDS is very difficult to contact.  AIDS is not spread in our water, in our air or in our food.  It is not contacted by casual contact, by hugging or kissing our fellow Oaxaqueños, not by mosquitoes nor by bathrooms.  It is spread by our actions.  It is spread by blood transfusions which have not been screened for the VIH virus and by sexual relations without protection.  These actions we can change.  There is no reason, in modern Oaxaca, for a drop of blood to go unscreened into another's body.  Let the medical establishment know this is the last year this was allowed to occur.  For our part, in sexual relations, the modern latex condom, used properly, is strong protection against this virus.  Let us all take control of our bodies, men and women, and protect ourselves, our loved ones, our community.

            We can act now, all of us, to stop this virus from entering more of our population, to halt the spread of this disease.  We can become involved.

            In addition, there exists a great stigma hanging over this disease.  The taboo in matters of human sexuality, the many myths surrounding this disease and the difficulty of changing old ways do not serve our Oaxaca in these last years of the century.

            Many persons with AIDS are afraid to come out of their homes.  Afraid to tell family and friends of their illness.  Many families are afraid to tell their neighbors.  Many live in a solitary fear, of the future, of their pain, of society.

            This at a time when these Oaxaqueños need help and support the most, when family and friends should be near.

            This cannot be, that our own people are shunned in their own land.  This is not Oaxaca.

            Let each of us resolve to halt these myths and stigmas, in our families, among our friends.  It is not weakness to show compassion, to teach love, to protect our loved ones.  It is more than morally right.  It is saving lives, including our own.

            The fight has begun, in Oaxaca, over this last year and I am proud to have played a role in this battle.  But the sum of our actions is only the beginning.  Our work has been that of preparation.  The battle is still to be joined.  I ask you to come aboard, to engage yourself, to become involved.  Let us shake off our complacency.  Let no one misunderstand.  The urgency is great and growing each day.  Let all know, the city's response shall be strong and positive, a response in which we can take pride.

            No one knows the future course of this disease; no one can predict the concerns of future presidents in this office.  No matter.  Let all know, in this year our city and our pueblo took actions to the best of their abilities, actions which saved lives, actions of which all can be proud.

            Let the word go forth, this center which we inaugurate today is a center for all the people, welcoming all and providing support and direction to all Oaxaqueños.

            All our best wishes are with this center today and with its good work in the battle ahead.  Join us today.  Together we can change the course of this disease.  Together we can halt the spread of this virus in our population.  Together we can stop AIDS in Oaxaca.