At the dedication of a new tribute to local HIV caregivers, City Council Chairman Vincent Gray called on the DC community to recommit itself in the fight against HIV in DC. Vincent Gray told WTOP: "We know on the eastern end of this city we are seeing a spread of the virus in ways we haven't seen before. I.V. drug use is now one of the most prevalent forms of transmission."While Vincent Gray's comments are welcome, active leadership in fighthing the HIV/AIDS epidemic is what is needed most. Specifically:
1. Mayor Fenty is the only Mayor since the beginning of the epidemic who has never had a full time director of the HIV/AIDS Administration. We've been waiting six months for a new director. A new Director is desperately needed.
2. While we are still waiting for a final report from the Health Department on their 'Come Together DC Testing Initiative', we know that the HIV/AIDS Administration failed to meet their goals around HIV Testing in the District.
3. Similarly, the HIV/AIDS Administration has failed to meet their goals around condom distribution.
4. The HIV/AIDS Adminstration is not even keeping an accurate count of services provided to people living with HIV due to ongoing problems with their database.
I hope that Chairman Vincent Gray will be a leader in addressing these issues.