Condom trainers receive training
The call for greater partnership among agencies involved in family planning and HIV/AIDS awareness has been made by a representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).{{more}}
Dervin Patrick, speaking on Monday at a three-day condom programming workshop for regional health care providers, said that HIV/AIDS is one of the greatest challenges facing the region, not only from a health standpoint, but also a developmental one as well.
He said that the region on a whole is stigmatized for being the second largest area infected with the disease, and for this to stop, agencies involved in the fight must come together and look at the overall agenda.
Patrick said that the condom is a component of the empowerment of men and women in the region, and that the increase in demand and supply for them must also be followed by a regional programme in contraceptive security.
Also addressing the opening of the workshop, which took place at Grenadine House, was Chief Medical Officer Dr. St. Clair Thomas.
Dr Thomas, who gave some statistics on the history of HIV /AIDS in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, made note that although persons may know how the disease is and isnât spread, they also know how to prevent it.
He also added that this is often overwhelmed by the power of the sex drive.
Thomas admitted that the participants attending the workshop, from CARICOM territories and as far as Brazil and Mexico, would be faced with, among other things, cultural, religious and gender related barriers.
The three day session was aimed at training health care workers in comprehensive condom (especially female) programming, engaging participants in brainstorming sessions on the initial drafting of a regional condom policy, and providing the necessary tools for trainers to use in country condom workshops.(JJ)
Local HIV/AIDS statistics
1984- first reported AIDS case
1994- 24 HIV/AIDS cases reported
2004- 108 HIV/AIDS cases reported
Dec. 2006- 940 HIV/AIDS cases reported, 501 full blown
Jan- Jul. 2007- 46 new cases reported, 22 deaths
Total deaths since 1984- 490
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