The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) again demonstrated its support for the fight against HIV/AIDS by hosting a football competition at Base Camp Ayanganna themed “Be fit! Be ready! Be sportsmen and sports women against HIV/AIDS.”
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release army Chief-of-Staff Commodore Gary Best, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony and Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Military Liaison Office (USMLO) Stephen Stanley attended the event. The competition is one in a series of activities organised by the GDF in its campaign against HIV which started on March 1, 2006 and which has achieved many of its objectives.
In his address, Anthony said he was pleased that the GDF is taking the sports approach in the campaign against HIV. He reported that the prevalence rate in the population in Guyana is about 1.5% which means that a significant number of persons are becoming infected. Anthony also said a survey done with 625 persons in the uniformed services three years ago measured the officers’ knowledge about HIV at 84%. However, only 55% of the respondents indicated that they used a condom with a casual partner.
In this regard, the minister called for an education programme that would focus on behaviour change. “If we are going to reduce the general prevalence then all of us will have to play our role. I am very pleased with the assistance of the US military to our military and I hope that the programme will also focus on strategic interventions,” he said. At the same time he commended the Force for its role in the fight against HIV/AIDS and urged the organisers to include other communicable and non-communicable diseases affecting society.
In his address, Best said the competition comes at a time when the Force is celebrating its 43rd anniversary but with recognition of the drastic consequences which the deadly virus has brought on the development of nations. “The GDF is not isolated from the rest of society on this issue and has had our own share of challenges in dealing with it. A number of initiatives have been undertaken by us to highlight awareness on this issue,” he added.
According to GINA, the force has embarked on training for HIV counselling and testing, establishing testing and training sites and other support mechanisms to ensure that officers and soldiers are comfortable while testing and being counselled on HIV. Partnerships have been formed with a number of agencies such as the Guyana Safer Injection Project, Youth Challenge in Guyana, the United States Agency for International Development and the USMLO which has been providing technical support.
Best said entertainment education is the new approach which the GDF will be taking in its campaign as this has proven successful in various parts of the world in creating awareness and shaping attitudes. “I believe that there is great potential in this form of education, to raise awareness, impart knowledge, stimulate debate, influence attitudes and social norms,” Best said.
