BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH Statistics for 2016 showing that the Federation has on record more than 250 registered person living with the HIV/AIDS virus, Junior Minister of Health, the Hon. Wendy Phipps is reminding persons to be conscious of their health and to practice safe sex.
This call came as the Minister was giving an update on the Health Sector within the country last evening (Jan. 24) at the Government’s first town hall meeting for the year, at the Joshua Obadiah Primary School.
The Minister told the gathering that health officials have seen a steady trend in new cases of infected persons, with the Federation’s annual figures standing between 12 and 14.
However, Phipps said that last year they saw 16 to 18 new cases being recorded in the country.
She quickly reminded that though the numbers may be small, there are still persons who may not be registered but are seeking treatment elsewhere.
“We do have on our register 271 persons that are HIV positive. This does not mean that there is this quantity alone which are HIV positive. These, if I am to be quoted correctly, are persons who are registered in our public health system.
“There are persons who are HIV positive, for the sake of their own privacy and their level of financial affordability might be able to go to their own private doctor and get their matter addressed personally, or go overseas to receive treatment. Most of our people do not have that luxury. But for all intents and purposes that is the reality of our situation,” the Minister noted.
Treatment for persons with the deadly virus is available free of cost, Minister Phipps noted, adding that those infected could seek such at their health centers.
“We advocate that you have safer sexual practices. Of course, abstinence is the best from all indications, but that is an issue of persons and choice.”
The Minister suggested that the Government can do its part including ensuring services, counselling and medications are available, but it is left up to individuals to play their part as well.
In a media interview back in December, Head of the National Aids Programme, Gardenia Destang-Richardson told reporters that she has seen more persons in the Federation being tested than before.
This comes as they are utilizing the available year-round testing. She pointed out then that, “This year has been a fantastic year for us to see the number of persons participating in the testing. Our office numbers are constantly ringing with persons making appointments to do their tests or retests.”
Additionally, she reminded that persons need to get tested every three months to ensure they remain negative, as the virus can move from being HIV to AIDS which, in some cases, can be deadly.
“There is that three-month window that we try to remind people of, even though you may test today. Even though you may test negative today, that would only give us a baseline because it takes at least three months for your body to produce HIV antibody.”
The Department of Health is making a concerted effort to begin testing at the various health centers around the two islands.
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