“Guyana has a genuine multi-sector approach to the fight against HIV,” Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy has said adding that he is confident that the battle against the disease can be won.
In a press release to mark World AIDS Day today, Ramsammy said even though the Health Ministry takes the lead in confronting HIV, “We must feel a sense of pride that as a country, Guyana has succeeded in crafting a strategy in which various sectors are playing significant roles and civic society is a major participant.”
Even as focus remains on the ‘Keep the Promise’ campaign, leadership is also important, he said, adding that the government has shown both commitment and willingness to invest in putting together programmes for HIV prevention and control. He said Guyana has seen “unprecedented cooperation from all political parties” and impressive leadership from the private sector and from faith-based groups on the issue.
The growing partnership in tackling the infection now includes providing social support to families affected by HIV.
He mentioned the ministry’s voucher programme, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Services, which provides financial support for more than 200 people living with HIV. Also, more than 800 persons are currently benefiting from the Food Bank at the National AIDS Programme Secretariat. This programme obtains more than 50% of its support from the private sector.
Ramsammy also said the ministry has contributed to the upgrading of all orphanages and other facilities that house children in Guyana as it is committed to ensuring that all children affected by the infection have homes.
He said though there is much to be proud of as observances are held today, he recognises that there can be no celebration as much more needs to be accomplished. Ramsammy said he hopes that the country can commit to fulfilling the goals set for next year. These include increasing the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission coverage from 80% to 100%; administering a PCR test to every child born to an HIV+ mother, to determine the child’s status by the time that child attains the age of 12 weeks; and extending national testing day to two days to achieve a target of 6,000 tests. The goals also include encouraging more than 50% of sexually active persons to know their status; enrolling the more than 5,000 PLWHAs into the ministry’s treatment and care programme and treating the more than 2,500 persons with anti-retroviral drugs. The ministry also plans to give every PLWHA a CD4 count at least twice yearly; screen every person who tests positive for tuberculosis (TB); and test every person tested positive for TB for HIV. It also plans to increase Guyana’s blood collection to more than 7,500 units and to collect more than 3,600 units from voluntary donors. Also, it has planned an education campaign to inform the public of the different ways HIV can be transmitted.
