Stepped Up Fight Against HIV/AIDS

Contact: Rose Marie Harris

Tuesday, February 06, 2001 – St. Lucia is stepping up the fight to contain the spread of the AIDS-causing HIV virus amid projections of  an increased rate of infection over the next few years.

According to official statistics, released at a second French-funded workshop on HIV/AIDS earlier this week, the majority of St. Lucians who contracted HIV over the past five years were women in the 20 to 30 age group. The increase was largely within the heterosexual population.

 “This trend suggests a rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in the near future,” said Egbert Andrew, Director of HIV/AIDS in the Ministry of Health. “In order to prevent further expansion of the epidemic and to eliminate the social and economic ramifications of the disease, a Caricom Task Force has put together a strategic plan which has as its main thrust, health education, legislation, advocacy and policy support and care,” Andrew added.

Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Health has embarked on a series of public health consultations on HIV/AIDS. These consultations are significant for two reasons, said Andrew. “Firstly, even a small increase in the prevalent rate means that many people become infected and secondly the spread of the virus is rapid,” he added.

“Commitment from every sector is deemed a very important element in the fight against this disease.  HIV is a developmental issue.   There is a causal relationship between HIV and social and economic development.   AIDS must be made part of the national agenda for every Caribbean government, “ said Andrew.

The next two years are seen as critical in preventing the projected rapid increase in the HIV/AIDS infection rate, said Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Honourable Michael Gaspard.

He continued: “Our existing campaign emphasises knowledge but knowledge itself will not be sufficient.  Knowledge is the base of behaviour change but is of limited value unless augmented by other strategies.  Behavioural scientists have identified stages in the adoption of a new behaviour.   These start with the essential knowledge that behaviour change is necessary.   Next individuals must be persuaded to make the appropriate change themselves.  This is followed by the actual decision to make the change and the implementation of a change in the behaviour by the individual.”

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