The Ministry of Education donated a number of hygiene kits for pregnant mothers and children affected by HIV/AIDS to the health ministry through its School, Health, Nutrition and HIV/AIDS Unit.
According to a press release the donation also included 700 kits of soap, towels, combs, toothpaste and toothbrushes which will be distributed to all HIV/AIDS treatment sites for orphan and vulnerable children under the supervision of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS). Another package containing 140 newborn kits including receiving blanket, baby gown and cloth diapers will be distributed to pregnant mothers at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Education ministry representative Janelle Sweatnam, who handed over the items, said the initiative is part of a wider programme that targets vulnerable children and parents by providing care and support.
The items were handed over to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Hydar Ali and CEO at the Georgetown hospital Michael Khan, the release said.
In addition, NAPS Programme Manager Dr Shanti Singh said 250 children in the school system are HIV positive. A recent study conducted by the Caribbean Child Development Centre on HIV-related stigma and discrimination and the learning outcomes of children infected and affected by this disease revealed that although stigma and discrimination has been noted it did not say how it affected the children’s performance. The study was done in collaboration with UWI’s Open Campus and the UNESCO Kingston Cluster Office and UWI’s HIV/AIDS Response Programme.