Director of the National Infectious Disease Control Unit Dr Jesse Henry says that HIV Positive Grenadians who are adhering to their medical requirement are living longer and were not among the eight persons who die this year as a result of AIDS related complaints.
“The eight who died were not even part of the system, never in our care and was diagnosis while as a patient at the General Hospital…so that is why it is important for people to know their status and don’t wait until the last moment,” she told journalists.
“The people who are on treatment are living productive lives with their families and some have even delivered children who are not infected and that is why we want people to understand the importance of early detection,” she said.
Dr Henry said that already 27 new cases were diagnosis in 2010 and it’s expected that the numbers will increase as more aggressive initiatives are embark upon by the ministry of Health and the NIDCU to observe World AIDS day on December 01st 2010.
“One of the first thing that will be done is the mini health fair on November 26 during which we will offer VCT and testing for other ailments such as High Blood Pressure and Diabetes,” she said while explaining that the mix testing is part of effort aim at reducing stigma and discrimination against persons who decides to do the test during the health fair.
“There is this perception among people that once someone is doing the test, something is wrong but we want people to know that it is ok to come visit and learn about the various ailments and not just about HIV,” she said.
Apart from the health fair, there will also be other initiatives aimed at educating the general public about the disease as part of the international commemoration which is being observe under the theme “Universal Access and Human Rights.” These activities include parish walks, panel discussion, village walk-about and massive media education.
Henry said that the walk about is something that will be done throughout the year and the village selected randomly. “we have realize that there is a need for people to know the facts about the disease because there are indicators to point out that people more about the myths than the facts, so the walk about will be to present facts to homes in each,” she said.
Linda Straker
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