Ministry hosting two-day HIV prevention, care, treatment and support workshop

A two-day workshop on HIV prevention, care, treatment and support begins this morning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conference room.{{more}}

The workshop, which is being held by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Reconciliation, Public Service, Information, Labour and Ecclesiastical Affairs and the Employers’ Federation, will be held from 9 a.m. daily.

This workshop forms part of the HIV workplace policy pilot project.

The Bank of SVG, the Central Water and Sewerage Authority, Courts St Vincent Ltd., LIME, ECGC, the National Insurance Services, GECCU, VINLEC, the Public Service Union and the St Vincent Planned Parenthood Association. have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government to implement the policy and related programmes.

According to a release from the Ministry of Health, the participants will become trained peer educators at their various enterprises, where they will advocate for the reduction of HIV-related discrimination and educate their peers about STI/HIV transmission and prevention.

The facilitators are: Donna Francis, Kerry-Ann Hamilton, Samuel Joyles, Dr Jozelle Miller, Florence Olatunji, Patrick Prescod, Sister Margarita Tash and Odinga Warner

The topics will include HIV myths and misconceptions; strategic approach to behaviour change ‘from knowledge to action’; mental health & HIV; psychological impact of HIV on people living with HIV; care & treatment for people living with HIV; HIV counselling and testing; HIV transmission and prevention; sexually transmitted diseases; stigma and discrimination.