HIV/AIDS a major threat to Caribbean society

Notwithstanding the damning
CCHD report, Dr Douglas is
"hopeful"

by Norman 'Gus' Thomas
Caribbean Net News Senior Regional Correspondent
E-mail: rc@caribbeannetnews.com 

Friday, July 8, 2005

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: According to a special report from the Caribbean Commission on Health and Development (CCHD), a copy of which has been obtained by Caribbean Net News, it is estimated that there are approximately half a million people living with HIV/AIDS in the wider Caribbean and 20 percent of these live in CARICOM member countries.

The report goes on to state that, given the current rate of infection, the figure is projected to be 672,000 come the close of 2009, and during the next five years, AIDS will kill a quarter of a million people in the Caribbean if the epidemic continues unchecked, the frightening report says.

In fact, in addressing the opening ceremony of the 26th Conference, Dominica's Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, reminded the audience that the greatest threat to the Caribbean is the HIV/AIDS pandemic, adding that the leaders and people of the Caribbean have the " unenviable task to turn around our reputation of having the highest incidence of the virus in the world, second to Sub-Sahara Africa."

Mr Skerrit cautioned that a concerted regional effort is needed in order to "stave off" disaster.

Meanwhile, a release from the St Kitts and Nevis government states that Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas gave what is referred to as a detailed report on the status of HIV/AIDS and other health-related issues in the Caribbean at the recently concluded 26th Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

According to the release, "In what colleague-Heads regarded as a rather detailed and thorough exposition of his stewardship as the regional spokesman on health matters,” Prime Minister Douglas informed the meeting that he was now more hopeful and satisfied that his colleagues had demonstrated their cognizance of the critical role of health in the economic development of the Caribbean.

However, a great many HIV/AIDS workers across the region have been expressing grave concern over the state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region.

"Our people are not taking this matter as serious as they should and this only adding fuel to the fire."

Another major problem for workers is the stigma now attached to the illness as new efforts and strategies must now be put in place to combat the stigma, which is creating havoc as reported to Caribbean Net News by one worker following a conference in St. Kitts last year.

“...this stigma thing is really creating havoc right here in the Caribbean. People do not even want to go to be tested because of the fear of being labelled. Even in our own health system where you expect people to be more level headed, the stigma is having an adverse effect."

Observers say it remains to be seen whether regional politicians will recognise the potential for economic disaster in the region that will be brought about by the loss of a quarter of a million productive lives, on the basis of the CCHD estimate.

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