BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SINCE the first recognised case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was discovered in the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis in 1984, the number has increased by 313.
According to Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Patrick Martin, who has provided data dating back to 1984, there has been an average of 12 HIV cases since that year. He also noted that the Ministry of Health has recorded 10 new cases in 2008 and 14 in the following year.
It is said that HIV is a virus that gradually attacks system cells, and as the virus progressively damages these cells, the body becomes more vulnerable to infections and would have difficulty in fighting them off.
Scientists have proven that when the HIV infection has reached a very advanced stage, the infected person is said to have Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, commonly known as AIDS. However, damage of the immune system may take many years before AIDS can be developed.
From this backdrop, out of the 314 HIV cases recorded in 1984, 101 had contracted AIDS at an average of four persons per year.
The CMO noted that one new case surfaced in 2008 and three in 2009, while 86 persons have died from the AIDS pandemic since 1984 at an average of three per year. However, there were no deaths in 2008 but one was recorded in 2009.
Dr. Martin said 31 persons are currently under the ministry’s care and 25 persons are in receipt of Anti-Retroviral Medication at a cost of EC$3 060 each; EC$2 795 more than that for treatment to each diabetes patient.
Five-year comparative periods between 2005-2009 and 2000-2004 showed there was an increase in new cases of HIV while new cases of AIDS and AIDS-related deaths have decreased.
In his analysis, the CMO said, “HIV is a sexually transmitted infection and a change in sexual behaviour goes beyond personal knowledge of infection prevention and control measures.”
He advised that personal discipline matters and that an integrated system of care, treatment and support is effective in reducing illness and death.
Dr. Martin stressed that medications used in HIV are relatively expensive; noting “government expenditure will increase as the number of persons living with HIV increases”.
On Wednesday (Dec. 1) World AIDS Day was globally celebrated and in her message to the nation, Minister of Health Hon. Marcella Liburd said there is an increase in women infected with HIV/AIDS in the Federation and called on persons to exercise good judgment and responsible behaviour in the continued fight against the epidemic.
“HIV is not only a health but a socio-developmental issue, as it affects the most productive segments of the population. In small island developing states, such as ours, an unchecked epidemic risks our very survival; our fragile economy is extremely vulnerable, as it is based on services delivered by its human capacity. Additionally, HIV/AIDS is a chronic disease that has implications for our already spiraling healthcare cost. As a society, we cannot afford to relax our efforts. Each one of us stands to be affected if we do not immediately adopt appropriate strategies to stem the tide of this HIV epidemic,” the Minister said.
