Health officials committed to protecting human rights of HIV/AIDS infected persons
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Contact: Claudia Monlouis
Thursday, December 2, 2010 – Authorities in the Ministry of Health have recommitted themselves to protecting the human rights of HIV and AIDS infected persons on island.
For the second year, universal emphasis has been placed on protecting the human rights of persons with HIV and AIDS in an environment of stigmatization and discrimination against those suffering with the disease.
Director of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat, Mr. Nahum Jn. Baptiste, says the Ministry of Health is fully behind these efforts because it has a direct link to the ability of those persons to access care and treatment within their communities.
“The local theme is “Shine our light on human rights”. For us in the ministry, it is a statement of encouragement, empowerment and we also see it as a pledge for for individuals, the community, and the whole nation to respect and advance the human rights of all—especially as it relates to health and HIV and AIDS.”
Meanwhile the National AIDS Programme Secretariat Director says a scientific analysis of some of its statistics this year would assist the department in better interpreting what factors are responsible for some notable reductions in certain areas.
“We had a reduction in HIV/AIDS cases among females. To put the information into proper context, we would need to do a study. However, I think the introduction of anti-retro viral drugs may have contributed to the reduction,” Jn. Baptiste said.
The Commonwealth Secretariat HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework 2011-2016 will guide member countries on the inclusion of human rights and its application to national responses against HIV and AIDS.
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