ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, September 22nd, 2011 – Persons Living With HIV (PLWH) are encouraged to live well by maintaining their Anti Retro Viral (ARV) medication regimen, and accessing the health and wellness resources available through the National AIDS Programme, the New Day Foundation and throughout the Territory.
Speaking in a GIS radio report interview, National AIDS Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Noelene Levons-Clarke highlighted the importance of positive prevention for PLWH. “Many of our messages are geared towards prevention and not specifically for persons living with HIV.
As a result, we saw the need to reach out to that target group through a Positive Prevention campaign,” said Mrs. Levons-Clarke. Mrs. Levons-Clarke shared that the Positive Prevention campaign is designed to further sensitise PLWH on the importance of maintaining their ARV treatment regimens; having regular lab monitoring and follow up visits with their doctors; and accessing psychological support through the New Day Foundation’s support group, Community Mental Health Services or alternative counseling services within the community.
As part of the Positive Prevention campaign, PLWH are urged to remain committed to their ARV treatment schedule as it helps to maintain the quality of their lives. The National AIDS Programme Coordinator cautioned that ARV medications must be taken daily as prescribed, and not crushed, or diluted so that the integrity and action of the medication is preserved. Additionally, PLWH are also reminded to monitor CD4 cells counts and their Viral Load with regular blood tests.
“In some cases when clients have not followed the prescribed schedule for their treatment, drug resistance has developed and HIV no longer responds to certain medications. They would then be placed on stronger ARVs which are more expensive and have stronger side effects,” stated Mrs. Levons-Clarke.
In the interview, the National AIDS Programme Coordinator also spoke on the mental state of an individual diagnosed with HIV and the need for support and counseling services. “Persons may experience depression, fear, anger, shame and many persons do not tell their families, hence they would not have a strong support system,” said Mrs. Levons-Clarke.
She encouraged PLWH to join the New Day Foundation support group or to contact the National AIDS Programme. Clients can also access counselling services through the Director of Community Mental Health Services, Dr. Virginia Rubaine, to address the psychological needs that will arise.
The National AIDS Programme Coordinator stated that physicians assigned to work with HIV Care and Treatment have reported that clients who are members of the support group are actually living a healthier quality of life, with more stable laboratory test and clinical results, as compared to those who are not members.
She added that the support group covers a range of topics including healthy nutrition, safe sexual practices for, and the legal responsibilities of PLWH. It also provides a confidential forum where members can openly discuss their challenges and concerns.
For more information on the National AIDS Programme’s Positive Prevention Campaign, please telephone the National AIDS Programme Coordinator at 468-4371 and 468-9785 or email nclarke@gov.vg.
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British Virgin Islands News