BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FORTY-THREE persons living with HIV/AIDS in the Federation are currently receiving anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment in an effort to prolong their lives.
This disclosure was made by Permanent Secretary (PS) within the Ministry of Health, Elvis Newton, who said that despite the positive strides made by his ministry in combating the disease, there are more challenges confronting them.
“We acknowledge the support and work of the healthcare workers who are caring for persons on ARVs. We feel that they have been able to overcome a number of challenges and they have really contributed in a significant way in ensuring that persons on ARVs have access to ARVs, and that they continue to live a normal and healthy life as possible,” he said.
He said despite the challenges they are achieving success, noting that because of the enormous and continuous work of the Federation’s healthcare workers his ministry continues to be successful in its task.
“Our ministry is working with the healthcare professionals, who care for persons on ARVs, their families and others as they remain very supportive as we provide them with the best possible care,” he said.
Addressing the ministry’s decision to aggressively promote condom use, Newton said, “Remember the ministry promotes a multi-pronged approach to HIV and AIDS. One component is prevention and so we advocate increase condom use and that programme will continue. There is also the other component in promoting the messages of abstinence, which is through the faith-based organisations. And then we have a responsibility to care and to provide medications for persons who are already affected; hence, we give ARVs to persons who are living with the disease.”
PS Newton said his ministry would continue to aggressively push the issue of condoms in addressing the spread of HIV/AIDS. He disclosed that they would continue to distribute condoms as they are of the firm belief that it would aid in the reduction of the HIV infection.
The Permanent Secretary said that continuous training is being executed through the government of St. Kitts and Nevis in enhancing the skills and knowledge of persons within his ministry. Support was also given to training of laboratory staff and clinical providers through a national strategic HIV training plan developed by partner organisations and the Health Ministry.
He pointed out that resources were made available by the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) and the OECS HIVAIDS Management Unit.
“We have been able through resources allocated other resources by the government of St. Kitts and Nevis. We have been able to train several of our health professionals. We continue to work towards improving the lab so that personnel in the lab could have received training in various areas,” he stressed.
He added: “In addition to that, we are working with our partners to improve the lab’s ability to function through the provision of equipment and supply.”
PS Newton also stated that his ministry would continue to aggressively combat the situation.
“So we are continuing our aggressive approach not only in the provision of training but ensuring that we have the requisite enabling environment…in this instance, the equipment and supplies to enable the trained personnel to do their work.”
