Vincentians engaging in risky sexual behaviour – Dr Davy

Vincentians have become too complacent when dealing with the issue of HIV and AIDS.

This is the view of Dr Jose Davy, registrar at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) and clinical care consultant.

Davy was speaking at the closing ceremony of a two-day workshop on the OECS multi-country strategic response towards HIV/ TB Elimination at the CLICO conference room recently. {{more}}She noted that persons, knowing that the disease is no longer a death sentence, tend to engage in risky sexual behaviour.

“They are not mindful of their sexual practices; also we know persons may have partners and they are not aware of what their partners are doing. We want to let persons know that they are ultimately responsible for their sexual health and they must protect themselves at all cost.”

Davy also disclosed that on average in St Vincent and the Grenadines, 60-65 persons become infected yearly.

Additionally, she noted that as at December 2015, 335 patients were receiving care from the MCMH, while at June 2016, 367 patients were receiving treatment, 60 of whom were receiving treatment privately.

The two-day workshop, which ended on August 16, was targetted at finding funds to reduce and eventually eliminate instances of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV.

Also speaking at the workshop’s closing ceremony was Dr James St Catherine, head of the HIV/AIDS project unit in the OECS, who stated that their goal is to reduce and eventually eliminate the instances of HIV by 2030 and TB by 2050.

He noted that the project expects funding to the tune of $5.2 million dollars for a period of three years, during which they expect to achieve the 90/90 target.

“That is we want to see: 90 per cent of all the persons who are HIV positive know of their status, so that they can then join the 90 per cent of persons who will be placed on treatment and of these persons, 90 per cent of them will have what is called viral suppression. They will not be able to transmit the disease,” St Catherine explained.

He noted that achievement of this goal would break the back of HIV and AIDS.

“Today, we are keeping people alive; AIDS is no longer a death sentence. People are reaching normal levels in terms of life expectancy; this now means that we have all of these persons being maintained for life on therapy.”

Lynette Harding, project manager, disclosed that international funding has been on the decline and advantage must be taken of what we currently have. She said that apart from reducing and eliminating the risks, focus is also being placed on strengthening health systems and human rights.

In her remarks, Jeannie Ollivierre, the deputy chair of the country coordinating mechanism, noted that their role as a non-governmental organization is very critical one. She stated that they have to ensure that communities are aware of what the project is a and what the end goal is expected to be.

Director of the HIV/STI/TB Unit Ferrosa Roache stated that the funds would go a long way to strengthen health care systems, building capacity of health care workers, people living with HIV and AIDS and the civil society. (CM)