Guyana not prepare to succumb to HIV - Minister Ramsammy urges renewed leadership in the fight

Source: Ministry of Health, 20th August 2008

“Guyana is not prepared to succumb to HIV and we will do all in our power to prevent new infections. The goal remains that no new child will be born into this world with HIV. We will prevent HIV. So I challenge all leaders in Guyana to stand with us as we fight HIV.”

These were the messages conveyed by Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy today at the launching of World AIDS Day Campaign 2008. The campaign was launched at the Convention Centre under the theme “Keep the Promise: Leadership”, ahead of the December 1, World AIDS Day observance.

Stressing the importance of prevention in confronting the HIV epidemic, Minister Ramsammy renewed his call for local leaders to actively participate in combating the scourge of HIV and not just implement workplace programmes for employees. “We need the Guyana Business Coalition to keep the promise and ensure all leaders of businesses stand up and be counted,” he said, issuing the challenges to his fellow Members of Parliament and the religious community as well. That is why, the Minister said, the goal is not only to reduce and prevent HIV, but to eventually eliminate HIV from Guyana.

Minister Ramsammy also urged every citizen to renew their commitment to the many preventative measures, including the campaign of spreading the word of prevention against HIV. On this note, the Minister was quick to endorse the recommendation of increased parental involvement in issues of health and sexuality emanating from a focus group discussion conducted by Work Study students from Cummings Lodge Secondary and Queens College. “Parents must be a part of the solution and that is why in the coming year we are focusing extensively on family testing,” he said.

Testing for HIV is critical to the fight against HIV and as such the National Day of Testing in Guyana on November 21 will be prioritised and a goal of getting 10,000 persons tested for that day has been established.

Nevertheless, Minister Ramsammy strongly advocated the cause for people living with HIV and called to an end to Stigma and discrimination. HE also urged leaders and citizens alike to ensure that people who are infected with HIV, have an opportunity to live full and productive lives.

Also echoing urged of preventative measures was the UNAIDS Country Coordinator of Guyana and Suriname, Dr. Ruben del Pardon, who noted that prevention is the way to curb the incidence of new infection.
“The truth is that the pandemic will never be defeated without effective prevention and no single prevention strategy will be sufficient. We need combined prevention,” he said.
On this note, Dr. del Prado commended the leadership and management given to the local programme, but noted that more needs to be done in the area of prevention.
One of the major focus groups for the prevention campaign is youths. Hence, the Ministry of Health is partnering with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, among other entities to disseminate the messages. Delivering remarks at the launching, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, commended the many local efforts to use edutainment, a combination of entertainment and education, to influence the behaviour of young people. HE also noted that through his Minister, efforts are being made to promote healthy living and positive choices among youths.

Meanwhile, the National AIDS Programme Director, Dr. Shanti Singh said…. “We note the many achievements that we are all proud of and at the same time the many challenges ahead of us. The good news is that for the first time, global progress is reported in this response.” She also noted that that the recently concluded AIDS Conference showed that prevention is not only better than cure but that prevention is the cure. “Guyana’s multi-sectoral approach has ensured that prevention is a fundamental pillar of its response. The identification of groups for special attention has been scientifically determined through the various studies conducted by the programme. Programmes have been put in place to ensure no only access to treatment, care and support but importantly access to all possible prevention services,” she said.

Among the highlights of today’s launch was a Rap Song composed by work study students and others, a free-style dance by a group of young people and the showing of a local movie “Shattered Dreams,” produced by GEMS Production, of which the cast was entirely teenagers.

August 20, 2008