HIV infections down, health officials report

New HIV infections in St Vincent and the Grenadines for the first half of this year are the lowest they have been in five years for the same period under review, and officials at the AIDS Secretariat are keeping their fingers crossed that the numbers paint a true figure of the situation regarding HIV infection here.{{more}}

There have been 23 new cases recorded up to June this year. This is compared with the 33-57 new infections for the same period, for 2003 to 2007.

Just back from the 17th International Aids Conference in Mexico City from August 3 to August 8, Director of the Aids Secretariat, Dr Del Hamilton, told SEARCHLIGHT that she is hopeful that the recorded cases are a close reflection of the true picture and said that she is very encouraged by the numbers.

Dr Hamilton also noted that the testing drive has been mounted and more people are being tested for the disease, yet the lower numbers, which is a good thing.

Dr Hamilton was among a team of eleven, which included two persons living with HIV from St Vincent and the Grenadines, that attended the conference.

High on the agenda at the conference was the push towards decriminalizing homosexuality and prostitution within the region.

Minister of Health, Dr Douglas Slater, who attended the conference and the Ministers of Health and Education meeting that was held prior to it told SEARCHLIGHT that there was a very deliberate and aggressive campaign to see these areas addressed.

Dr Slater said that while the findings of several studies were presented to give weight to those stances, and a discussion on the topic must take place in individual countries, our cultures and history must form a part of the discussion.

He said that it was difficult to address such suggestions in a Caribbean society, and more so at home, in a Vincentian society that is religious, and “still very homophobic.”

Dr Slater also said that he also isn’t convinced that the present criminalization of homosexual activity and the accompanying stigma and discrimination is the main reason for the evidence that shows that while infection rates are going down that the “men who have sex with men” group is one of the main transmitters of the disease.

He said that he is not sure that decriminalization of homosexuality is going to be a panacea in the fight against the spread of the disease.

He noted that in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, homosexuals became one of the model groups in terms of safe sex, and there was evidence that showed an attempt by homosexuals to alter their sexual conduct, protect themselves and to cut down on their promiscuity.

“As we reflect now, one must wonder if this spike is a reflection of them dropping their guard, “Dr Slater said.

Dr Slater said that a debate regarding the decriminalization of homosexuality and prostitution must be had, but he said he believes that the topic will require a regional approach.

He also warned that while politicians must make policies, these policies must, in a democratic society, reflect the will of the majority of the population, while addressing the rights of the minority.

“Politicians are first citizens and must reflect the sentiments of the communities that they serve,” he said.

Dr Slater also questioned one presenter at the conference who suggested that a survey shows that more than fifty per cent of Caribbean men have had a gay experience in their lifetime.

“I am not sure about that. A lot of questions have to be asked like what is considered a gay experience. What I believe is that more men have had gay experiences than they are willing to say,” he said.