No.176/2005

LAYOU HIV/AIDS COMMITTEE HOLDS MARCH AND RALLY

Director of the HIV/AIDS unit, Dr. Del Hamilton said that this country has recorded 28 new HIV cases so far for the year.

Dr. Hamilton was addressing a Rally held at the Layou Hard Court yesterday.

The Rally was organised by the newly formed Layou HIV/AIDS Campaign Committee in conjunction with the HIV/AIDS unit in the Ministry of Health and the Environment.

The Rally which was preceded by a March around Layou, was held under the theme "Don’t get scared, get counselled, get tested, get treated," and was staged to raise the awareness of the dangers of HIV/AIDS on the Vincentian society.

Giving an update on HIV/AIDS, Dr. Hamilton said 796 cases of HIV/AIDS had been recorded at the end of 2004.

She noted that to date, 405 persons have succumbed to the disease.

Dr. Hamilton further added that HIV/AIDS is a devastating problem and many hands would be needed on board to tackle the issue.

She said that government secured a grant of US $ 8.7 million from the World Bank to combat the problem over a 5- year period. Dr. Hamilton commended the churches for their role in the campaign against AIDS and encouraged them to continue to promote abstinence.

Also addressing the Rally was Minister of Health and the Environment, Dr. Douglas Slater. Dr. Slater stated that HIV/AIDS is the single most developmental issue confronting countries world- wide.

The Health Minister said that Vincentians needed to work fervently to prevent the HIV/AIDS statistics from rising.

He urged the gathering to be compassionate towards people infected with the disease, as HIV/AIDS respects no one.

Speaking directly to infected individuals, he said: "There is hope, get tested, get counselled".

The rally saw performances form the Seventh Day Adventist Children Choir, the Layou Miracle Church and renowned gospel artist, Fidel Taylor.

13^th June 2005

E-mail: gissvg@caribsurf.com