Basseterre, St. Kitts (June 8, 2004): The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) is spearheading the launch of a Nutrition and HIV/AIDS project tomorrow.
The project has the objective of highlighting the importance of including nutrition in the treatment and care of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
The launching takes place at a workshop opening ceremony which commences at 9:00 a.m. at Rex Papillion. Minister of Health Honourable Dr. Earl Asim Martin will deliver the feature address and launch the project.
There will also be remarks by the Public Health Nutritionist for the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) Dr. Godfrey Xuereb. Director of Community Health Services Dr. Hazel Williams Roberts and National HIV/AIDS Coordinator Ms. Marlene Liburd will also give remarks. Dr. Xuereb will also present some books.
The workshop itself, will train participants in the use of “Healthy Eating for Better Living: A Caribbean Handbook,” and runs from Wednesday, June 9 to Friday, June 11. The handbook is a nutritional guide specially designed for PLWHAs and their caregivers.
Issues to be covered at the training session include an introduction to the handbook, HIV/AIDS and the immune system, planning menus for PLWHAs, special needs of people with HIV/AIDS to keep healthy, drugs and other therapies as well as coping with nutrition problems related to HIV/AIDS.
The workshop will cater to 40 participants who have been drawn from the Ministries of Government, international and regional organisations and religious organisations. Representatives from among HIV/AIDS workers, PLWHA, Non Government Organisations, Community Based Organisations and the media were also invited. |
