Local Parliamentarians Sensitised About HIV/AIDS

Contact: Primus J. Hutchinson

Local Parliamentarians have demonstrated their willingness to be more sensitive to the regional endeavors of health officials in addressing the social and economic impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. On Thursday, parliamentarians participated in an HIV/AIDS Advocacy Workshop, organized by the Ministry of Health, Human Services, Family Affairs and Gender Relations in collaboration with the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC).

Members of Cabinet, Senate and various stakeholders in the health sector, met at the House of Assembly to discuss and to find  ways and means of bringing about changes in policy and resource allocation in the fight against HIV/AIDS and a more effective programme of prevention and control of the epidemic.

Minister for Health, Honourable Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, stated that if the transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus has to be stemmed and to effectively treat and manage persons living with HIV and AIDS, all sectors and agencies must assist the Ministry of Health  to better prevent and control the epidemic.

“And that is why we have joined the Caribbean effort in terms of preparing a regional strategic plan… that will asses the existing structures we have in place - the existing programmes that are on the way currently in St. Lucia - to ensure we have a more effective tool to deal with the disease as it is presenting itself.    One of the things we hope will happen in St. Lucia is that persons living with HIV and AIDS will become an integral part of the process. I must lament the fact that whereas we have a Caribbean Network of People living with AIDS, that St. Lucia has not been part to the extent that it ought to,” Mrs. Flood-Beaubrun said.

She added: “We have recognized that in countries where there is active participation of persons living with AIDS, that that is in fact very essential. We believe that those persons can be very good advocate, especially to young persons.”

The stigma and confidentiality factor are still major concerns to those living with HIV/AIDS in the region, so says Representative of the Caribbean Regional Network for persons living with HIV/AIDS, Yolanda Simon.

“One of the reasons why confidentiality continues to go unabated is because there is no legal and ethical framework in place,” she noted.  She suggested that governments “need to put the right legislation in place” to create “that enabling environment we talk about.

Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony committed his government’s support to the cause.

“Here in St. Lucia, we will remain as committed as ever and certainly give all the support that our Minister of Health requires, as she continues to do her work, to sensitize the people of St. Lucia to the challenges that lies ahead.   Government as always, has to be the example, and I do know that there are several cases in the public service, where we have defended and protected those employees, in difficult situations, but we will need to continue to do that work and we hope shortly, to set the examples by laying clear rules, procedures and guidelines, for those persons who are employed in our public service,” Dr. Anthony said.

As of March 2001 there were one hundred and forty three persons infected with the HIV/AIDS virus in Saint Lucia and one hundred and twenty four persons who have died from the virus.

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