CATEGORY:HEALTH
------------------------

By Trevor Thwaites (Inside Grenada correspondent)


ST.GEORGE, Grenada - A new strategy is being implemented in the fight to effectively reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country. The first in a series of workshops was held Saturday September 9 at the Trade Centre in Grand Anse. The workshop, which attracted 65 participants from various stakeholders, was organized by the National AIDS Directorate with firm support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Grenada government.

Key political and national issues including education, the empowerment of women and the added involvement of the Church in the fight against the deadly disease were the main topics highlighted. The idea is to record and incorporate the voices of the participants in the continuing fight against HIV/AIDS. The workshop is part of a new strategy being adopted to counteract the disease that has killed over 250 people since surfacing in 1984. 150 people are said to be living with the disease, which according to health officials continues to be on the increase.

Health officials are concerned about the 19 new cases that have been confirmed so far this year. “The information here will guide us as to how we prioritize the areas we need to pursue and the kind of results we are anticipating”, Director of the National AIDS Directorate Mrs Caroline Alexis-Thomas said in an exclusive interview. “We hope that by the end of three years we would see some measurable output coming out of this exercise.”

The National AIDS Directorate wants to see education on the topic being given serious attention especially in the workplaces. Mrs Alexis-Thomas is hopeful that this sort of approach will lead to a reduction in HIV/AIDS especially among the 15-24 age groups in the next five years. The exercise is also part of a new initiative being undertaken by the United Nations Development Fund to combat the increase in HIV/AID not only in Grenada but around the world. I am happy with the outcome.”

“We feel that there are things that need to come out in the open. There are issues that we need to deal with in order for us to move forward and effectively deal with the issue, so we are happy with the turn out”, UNDP Local Representative Sandra James said. “We are happy with the turn out in terms of the number of people and the cross section of the population participated because we have people from vulnerable groups, the employment, labour and youth sectors all well represented.”

UNDP is happy an excited about the prospects the coming together of the various stakeholders will have in the fight against HIV/AIDS. “It is the hope that this activity and others to follow, will formulate plans and programmes that will reduce the number of people being affected and provide hope for others living with the disease”, Mrs James said. She is also hopeful that the stigma associated with HIV/AID will be a thing of the past and that persons affected will be accepted and respected in their communities.