Nevis HIV/AIDS Coordinating Unit receives assistance

(L-r) Chief Executive Officer of the Nevis Tourism Authority Mrs. Garcia Thompson-Hendrickson presents monetary donation to Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Health Planner Mrs. Nicole Slack-Liburd on behalf of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Washington DC Chapter

The cheque was presented to Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Health Planner Mrs. Nicole Slack-Liburd at the Unit’s Office on December 3, by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nevis Tourism Authority (NTA) Mrs. Garcia Thompson-Hendrickson.

Mrs. Slack-Liburd thanked the Chapter for its donation and commended it for its partnership.

She cited that too often government and private health institutions were thought to be responsible for the management of HIV/AIDS, though the problem was beyond a health matter.

The Health Official said that the HIV/AIDS was a developmental problem which had critical implications for the economies of the Caribbean Region, Nevis included.

“We know that tourism plays a heavy role in terms of our economy and in terms of the number of persons it employs not directly in the hotels but also taxi drivers, persons who own souvenir shops and tour operators etc. ~~Adz:Right~~

“This disease can impact them to an extent where we do not have workers to work in this industry and we know that human resource is the most valuable here in Nevis, as tourism is our primary income generation earner so we really applaud you for recognizing that and the donation will be utilized towards our efforts,” she said.

Meantime, the CEO explained that every year the Chapter identified an organisation within its member states, who it considered to be in need of assistance. This year the Nevis HIV/AIDS Coordinating Unit was selected, following the Chapter’s familiarization visit to Nevis in 2007.

Mrs. Thompson-Hendrickson said the donation was timely since the Unit had just observed World AIDS Day with a week of awareness activities.