Nevis, West Indies. ?A Non-Tourist-Trap? Blog About Nevis.

Mr. Glenroy Blanchette MD Democrat Newsaper

Basseterre, St. Kitts - Nevis
December 07, 2009 (PAM Secretariat)

Journalist and Managing Director of the Democrat Newspaper Glenroy Blanchette is appealing to media colleges to commit more in playing a very significant role in addressing stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV AIDS.

Blanchette said that while there are a number of challenges regarding HIV/AIDS in St. Kitts and Nevis, he sees success being achieved once there is increased and significant support from the media, noting that the media are pivotal to the success. He said that the media’s role could threaten the success of true HIV prevention, treatment and care efforts globally. He also urged the local media to not only be more committed but aggressive in ensuring people living with HIVAIDS could have their cause championed.

The Democrat’s Managing Director said that his media house, along the People’s Action Movement, remains very committed to supporting initiatives that seeks to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS in the Federation. Blanchette said that there could not be any real success without the full involvement of the media.

“The media hold the key to the success of eradicating stigma and discrimination. The media play a critically important role in the daily lives of everyone. Therefore, it’s important that every media practitioner gets intimately involved in working along with the relevant stakeholders in addressing HIV/AIDS,” he said.

Blanchette said that a look at the Ministry of Health’s approach in confronting the issues of HIV/AIDS would prove that there are some lingering challenges which need to be addressed immediately. He spoke of the importance for all to work together in being able to confront the difficulties and challenges, stating that success requires the committed efforts of all sectors.

He urged the Ministry of Health to immediately design effective strategies and programmes so as to ensure success, calling for involvement from international partners, civil society and non-governmental organizations. According to recent disclosures made by the World Health Organization (WHO), it was estimated that more than four million people in low and middle-income nations currently have access to anti-retroviral treatment.

Blanchette also commended the various stakeholders for their continued efforts in addressing stigma and discrimination. “I am pleased and impress with the numerous and significant work that is being done by various stakeholders, including NGOs, the churches and other agencies, in addressing this continued problem. We must remain committed and dedicated to the fight as there will certainly be success with the right investment,” he reiterated.

Blanchette, who is also his party’s Constituency One representative and Shadow Minister for Health, said that his media house and his party are unwavering in their commitment and support to helping in eradicating stigma and discrimination. He reiterated his call for every media practitioners to commit towards helping in reducing sigma and discrimination, adding that the time is here for all to play their part in whatever way they could.

Related posts:

1. Grant Calls For End To Discrimination Against HIV AIDS Victims
2. St. Kitts - Nevis Develops New HIV/AIDS Strategy
3. St. Kitts - Nevis Steps Up Fight On HIV/AIDS
4. Caribbean Islands Warned About HIV/AIDS
5. The Caribbean Steps Up HIV/AIDS Testing

“….there is more that must be done,”

Basseterre, St. Kitts - Nevis
People’s Action Movement
December 01, 2009

Leader of tthe People’s Action Movement (PAM) Lindsay Grant has added his party’s voice for the immediate ending of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIVAIDS.

Grant pointed out that in a civilized and mature society, ending stigma and discrimination are the primary pillars in reducing the spread of HIVAIDS. He stressed that as Leader of his party he remains confident that the fight against HIVAIDS could be won, noting that there are some amount of successes achieved globally in addressing the disease.

Zeroing in on the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, Grant said that there is an urgent need for a genuine multi-sector approach to the fight against HIV. He noted that while the Ministry of Health, under the leadership of the Hon. Rupert Herbert, has been trying to get some work done, there is still a whole lot more that is critically needed. He stressed that it is pivotal for the Minister and his ministry to remain in the lead role in confronting HIV.

“Kittitians and Nevisians must be able to feel a sense of pride that as a Federation we can succeed in effectively and efficiently addressing this epidemic, Grant said.

The PAM political Leader also issued a passionate appeal to other stakeholders to play   a meaningful role as well. He noted that while Government should be the front leaders, stakeholders also has a responsibility in ensuring that collaboration and cooperation are achieved so as to win the battle.

“I call on all stakeholders to recognize that they too have an important role to play in this fight as well, thus civic society should also see themselves as a major player,” Grant said.

He pointed out that his party joins with others in noting the importance of confidentiality when addressing this issue, stressing that he would like to see a high level of mature political leadership in the fight against HIV. He said that petty political differences should be set aside so as to properly deal with the concerns and issues affecting the people of the Federation.

He also stressed that for Government to demonstrate more commitment and willingness, it should invest in putting together carefully thought out programmes so as to properly prevent and control HIV.

“Prime Minister Dr. Douglas holds the regional HIV portfolio and it’s so sad to see that St. Kitts and Nevis’s response is not encouraging. I urge him not only as the Prime Minister but also as an advocate for the elimination of stigma and discrimination of persons living with the disease,” he said.

Grant also urged the Coordinator of the Ministry of Health’s HIV/AIDS Department to seek on building stronger relationships with members of civil and private sector society. “I must say that the work that is being done by the Coordinator, Gardenia Destang, is worthwhile of being mentioned. However, there is more that must be done,” he said. He was also loud in praise for what he said should be viewed as the very impressive leadership being demonstrated by members of the private sector and civic society, including the faith-based organizations.

Grant also pointed out that his party strongly believes that to enhance any level of partnership in playing a key role in preventing and controlling HIV AIDS, it must be taken to a new level through the Ministry of Health whereby social support to families affected by HIV could be provided without any difficulty.

“We must, as politicians, lead from the front as we have a social and moral responsibility to reduce stigma and discrimination. We also should strive and aim to provide tangible assistance in whatever way,” he declared.

Grant added that there is much to reflect on and much for both citizens and residents to reflect and be proud of, noting that he is confident that the public is interested in making a new start in championing the cause of people living with HIV/AIDS.

“While we within the People’s Action Movement would like to commend the Ministry and those working in whatever capacity to help in reducing stigma and discrimination, we strongly believe that there is much more that can be done especially from the Government level. Therefore, I call on all to commit to reducing stigma and discrimination,” Grant appealed.

Related posts:

1. Journalist Calls For Greater Effort In Addressing HIV/AIDS
2. Grant Calls On PM Douglas To Denounce Intimidation Tactics
3. Grant Calls For All To Help Eradicate Crime
4. Lindsay Grant Calls On PM To Reconvene Parliament
5. St. Kitts - Nevis Steps Up Fight On HIV/AIDS

New Website Aims To Inform Citizens

Basseterre, St. Kitts - Nevis
May 21, 2009 (SKNIS)

Colourful, user-friendly and informative are but some of the words that can be used to describe the new dynamic National Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (NACHA) website.

Persons with access to the internet can type the address www.nachaskn.org and enter a world of thought-provoking information ranging from messages on abstinence and discrimination to HIV/AIDS facts and resources for testing, and how to get help.  Viewers are welcomed by a note declaring that NACHA is a multi-sectoral country coordinating committee “charged with providing leadership and coordinating all efforts aimed at reducing the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS on the population of St. Kitts and Nevis.”

Flash messages that rotate on the page include: Abstinence, that’s what’s hot; Your condom or mine; Daddy cares about prevention of parent to child transmission; as well as Ouch, HIV/AIDS discrimination hurts.

A special feature of the page is a box through which locally created and voiced cartoon videos tell a tale of superhero’s, best friends, testing scenarios, and how to deal with work discrimination.  There is also Heart Strings, a video of a dramatic mini-series, scripted, performed and filmed in St. Kitts.

Near the middle lower segment of the page is a section termed “My Life” which presents several scenarios such as “I’m pregnant with HIV,” “My relative has HIV,” “I’m not sure if I have HIV.”  Sponsors’ logos scroll across the bottom of the page while NACHA contact information close off the attractive scene which is sparsely decorated with HIV/AIDS ribbons.

Links to other pages on the same site provide information on how to “protect yourself,” “FAQ,” “video library,” “photo gallery,” “get help,” “resources and tools,” “HIV/AIDS in St. Kitts,” “news and events,” “discuss it,” “ads/campaigns” and “partners.”

There are also links to other websites such as UNAIDS, Global Health Facts, AIDS Alliance, the Global Fund and the Clinton Foundation.  Like all websites, the NACHA site is a work in progress and new features are continuously being added.

Related posts:

1. St. Kitts - Nevis Steps Up Fight On HIV/AIDS
2. Caribbean Countries Joins Forces In Fight Against HIV/AIDS
3. Nevis Public Commended For HIV / AIDS Awareness
4. St. Kitts - Nevis Continues HIV / AIDS Testing
5. St. Kitts - Nevis Praises Guyana’s Fight Against AIDS