BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Jul. 02.2018 – NATIONAL AIDS Programme Coordinator, Gardenia Destang-Richardson has confirmed that the levels of new HIV infection across the federation remains stable but is concerned that people are not heeding to calls for safe sex.
Currently, the federation’s average numbers remain the same as that of 2017, Destang-Richardson told SKNVibes, an area that has not improved over the years.
“The numbers are not growing in any big way, we are seeing pretty much an average of 10 to 15 new cases per year. The whole thing is that we are trying to encourage more persons; persons who have never been tested or persons who are at risk to know their HIV status and the only way to do that is by getting an HIV test.”
In a bid to get more people to know their status, Programme Officials held their annual National Testing Day on Friday (June 29) at the Independence Square, and the event coincided with the Child Month March activities and Music Festival.
“Today (June 29) is what we have dubbed National Testing Day…something that we have done over the last 10 years at the ending of June in the Square., where we come out and make accessible to the public HIV Rapid Testing,” the National Coordinator explained.
Richardson lamented that too many people become complacent when it comes to being tested, as far too often many do not want to repeat their last test despite a negative result.
But she pointed out that persons need to bear in mind that a negative result is “only as good as your next unsafe activity”, adding that is important to keep in the know about sexual health and have the discussion with their partners.
The new infection cases, according to the Coordinator, is prevalent in young and older men.
She revealed that it is generally men who are primarily coming down with the life-threatening ailment.
Deaths from the ailments are primarily occurring in males.
“That is really unfortunate because as you are aware, medications are free to everyone in St. Kitts and Nevis. So there is no need for anyone to die from HIV as a chronic illness. There are provisions in place for persons to take care of themselves, no cost them…It’s just a case of taking care of your health and being empowered to say: yes I have a disease and it’s a chronic illness but I can take care of myself,” she added.
