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St. Kitts - Nevis Fights HIV-AIDS

Basseterre, St. Kitts - Nevis
March 04, 2010 (SKNIS)

Residents of Old Road and surrounding communities are encouraged to take advantage of a National AIDS Secretariat initiative to find out their HIV/AIDS status.

Due to a request to have HIV testing done in the rural area, the National AIDS Secretariat instituted Community HIV Testing Days in 2008.  Residents of Old Road, in particular, are invited to come to the Old Road Community Centre on Thursday, March 18, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to receive free and confidential HIV testing.  As customary the tests will be done by qualified Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Providers, who provide advice before and after testing.

All persons who take advantage of the VCT will receive a $10.00 LIME Top Up when they return for their test results, which will be provided the same afternoon.  Attractions include a male condom placement competition, which can be entered by both male and females.  There will also be female condom and dental dam demonstrations.  Giveaways include promotional items such as key chains along with HIV/AIDS information.

If follow-up is necessary following the test result, individuals have access to a clinical care team whose members are professionally trained to deal with the issues that arrive from the communicable disease.

The team includes a gynecologist, pediatrician, internal medical specialist, senior pharmacist, lab manager, coordinator of community nursing who is also a trained VCT provider and an admission and discharge nurse at the Joseph N. France General Hospital to reinsure confidentiality.  Persons diagnosed with HIV also have access to a social worker, patient advocate, nutrition counselor and general medical practitioner, who is also the clinical care coordinator.  Should medication be necessary it is provided free of cost by the Ministry of Health.

Persons living in Old Road, in particular, are invited to come to the Old Road Community Centre on Thursday, March 18, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to find out their HIV status.  All activities will be conducted with the strictest confidentiality.

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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.

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“….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.

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4. Lindsay Grant Calls On PM To Reconvene Parliament
5. St. Kitts - Nevis Steps Up Fight On HIV/AIDS