Guyana Moves Towards Sustainability In HIV/AIDS Response

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Sept. 10, 2014, CNS – The Ministry of Health in Guyana in collaboration with the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Tuesday launched a training workshop aimed at training Health Care Workers on diversity and sensitivity training.

Held at the Grand Coastal Inn on the East Coast of Demerara, the workshop was aimed at controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic and achieving sustainable response. The pilot training in Guyana is based on providing the key population with friendly services regarding HIV/AIDS issues.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud pointed out to the participants that the training was especially timely as Caribbean Wellness Day 2014 is being observed, which focuses on the plight of persons with non-communicable diseases.

Observing that it has been 28 years since Guyana has been combating HIV/AIDS, he pointed out that even though enormous work has been done,  there are still small pockets in the country that are affected by the disease. Dr. Persaud pointed out that enormous work should still be put in to address HIV/AIDS since many key pockets of those at risk are very difficult to reach.

Acknowledging that despite the successes in the programmes, the issue of stigma and discrimination is still lingering and should be addressed. He indicated that while increased focus is placed on transmission, more should also be placed on prevention and care.

Pointing out that the gains were difficult to achieve, he suggested that Government should put more responsibility and funds towards the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Head of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat Dr. Shanti Singh pointed out that the epidemic has been stabilised in Guyana which can be seen through available evidence. Pointing to the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme, she noted that it has done very well with a reduction in the number of children being born with the virus.

She added that the HIV treatment programme has also done very well and apart from public health care, private medical care has also added to this. Dr. Singh insisted that it was through the commitment of the health care workers that these achievements have been made.

Acknowledging that the core responsibility for HIV sustainability belongs to Government, Dr. Singh explained that it also needed the support of all other stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Charge d’ Affaires of the United States Embassy Bryan Hunt pointed out that Guyana has done remarkably well in addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS. This he pointed out can be seen through improved access to treatment, availability of support services and government’s programmes, in addition to significantly decreased HIV mortality.

The modules of the workshop will address HIV and HIV prevention and response for those at high risk whilst defining high risk groups. Focus will also be on health care providers working with those at high risk and their characteristics. Participants will also learn how to get to know their clients and assessing their risks in relation to their community.

The workshop will also guide participants through the different groups of persons at risk of the disease whilst discovering the packages of services to address them. Stigma and discrimination will also be addressed during the workshop, and participants will learn how to address myths relating to the disease.

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