A target of zero tolerance for stigma and discrimination as the TCI joins the rest of the world in remembering those who died from and those living with HIV/AIDS on World AIDS Day, December 1st 2011.
The international theme for this year’s observance is “Getting to Zero” which refers to zero new infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS related deaths. The TCI’s AIDS Department has used this to create a local theme “Getting to Zero through Community Participation towards Eradication,”
AIDS Coordinator, Aldora Robinson stated:
“We have a very high level of stigma and discrimination still within our communities and we seriously need to work on this. Getting to zero discrimination would reduce the amount of persons who present for treatment and care late, zero discrimination would reduce the amount of persons who not only present late, but often die simply because of fear of discrimination.
As I normally say and will continue to say, in order for TCI to reduce the impact of HIV on our society we need to change our behavior and attitudes. Nelson Mandela once said “you can never change society if you haven’t changed yourself.”
The Department said it undertook several successful programmes over the past year geared towards behaviour change. It has revised the healthy living curriculum within the primary and high schools bringing it in line with the regional Health Family Life Education (HFLE); strengthened local capacity to develop policies; re-established a multi-sectoral committee for a more board based approach; and set up a health and wellness programme for the tourism sector with a promise to assist the sector early in the new year with its work plan activities.
The Department has also completed two research studies to inform its strategic decisions and ensure that they are evidence based and sustainable.
“Over the years much has been done; knowledge has increased through our various prevention efforts, access to treatment and care has increased, awareness of human rights for persons living with HIV has improved and there has been progress made in the area of policy and legislation”, Robinson said.
The Department said its staff did an outstanding job over the year, despite the lost of one of its former staff-member, Mrs. Keziah Nash.
Its advice to the TCI on this world AIDS Day and the following holiday season is:
“Season’s greetings and remember to stay safe, abstain, be faithful to one partner or use a condom. Watch your drinking as it impairs your judgment and put you at risk for contracting HIV. Get tested, know your status!”
