ST.GEORGE’S,GRENADA, DECEMBER 4th, 2008_A central approach to managing Grenada’s efforts to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS was the main area of discussion when Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas met with officials of the World Bank, Ministry of Health and the Aids Directorate at his Botanical office this morning. “I think the Ministry of Health is well placed to manage this area. They have the competence and the capability to look at this from both a treatment and prevention perspective,” the Prime Minister said. Describing the issue as a serious one for Grenada, the Prime Minister said his government will give whatever support is required in the fight against the spread of HIV /AIDS. He expressed his appreciation to the World Bank team of Willy de Geyndt, Principal Public Health Specialist and Shiyan Chao, senior economist at the Department of Human Development with responsibility for Latin America and the Caribbean for their support in fighting the disease. “Our young people and the working population are very much at risk. HIV/AIDS will have an impact on our economies because of its effects on the labour force and our young people,” the Prime Minister said. The officials from the World Bank agreed with Prime Minister Thomas’ position that the efforts to fight the spread of the disease be centralized, pointing to examples in several Caribbean islands including many of the member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) of which Grenada is a member. Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Sen. Hon. Ann Peters gave the Prime Minister the assurance that the ministry is prepared to accept the responsibility to become the lead body for coordinating the anti HIV/AIDS efforts. Only recently in a national address marking World AIDS Day the Grenadian leader said his government is willing to “continue in the struggle to ultimately stop and reverse the spread of HIV in Grenada. This is more than just a desire; this is a pledged commitment on the part of Government and that of UN member states.” “It is the goal of Government to ensure that ample opportunities are provided to hear the voiceless individuals, sub groupings and vulnerable communities among us. We will take measures to address their particular concerns. Towards this end, Government continues to support the existence of a Human Rights Desk within the National AIDS Directorate,” The Prime Minister said. He said his administration continues to encourage all persons to access HIV tests and know their HIV status. This is a time of reflection on the lives of the persons who have died and the impact of their death on the country and their families,” he said. The Grenadian leader committed to ensuring that “persons living with HIV and their families, as well as the HIV-related orphans, enjoy every opportunity to live a full life. The quality of their lives should be equal to HIV negative persons in our country.” He issued a call for leaders at all levels and citizens to join the fight, both against the spread of HIV AIDS and the discrimination against others who were living with the disease. World AIDS day was commemorated on December 1st each year. Inside Grenada News