ROADTOWN Tortola, June 30th, 2011 - The initiative, a collaborative effort with the National AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health and Social Development, the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV AIDS (CBMP) and Scotia Bank BVI Limited, was held on Friday, June 24. – Over 170 individuals are now aware of their HIV status after taken part in Caribbean Regional Testing Day in the Virgin Islands.
This is the third year that the Territory has participated in the venture which promotes HIV testing throughout the Caribbean region by sensitising the public on the importance of voluntary counselling and testing in the prevention of the spread of HIV infection.
Caribbean Regional HIV Testing Day commenced at 9:30am at Scotiabank on Tortola; Scotiabank on Virgin Gorda; and at the Anegada Clinic in the Settlement. Approximately 22 trained HIV counsellors and testers assisted with the event and 172 persons were tested; an increase over last year’s number of 140.
In delivering remarks at the opening ceremony, National AIDS Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Noelene Levons-Clarke shared the benefits of knowing one’s HIV status and reiterated the power of knowledge. “With knowledge, we are in a better position to take appropriate action as individuals and as a community,” she said.
Additionally, early access to treatment suppresses the virus and delays progression to AIDS, and empowers individuals to consistently practise safe sex which ultimately prevents infection or re-infection with a different strain of the virus.
Scotia Bank General Manager, Mrs. Joycelyn Murraine also spoke at the ceremony and shared that Scotiabank BVI Limited was pleased to partner with Caribbean Regional Testing Day 2011, noting that the Territory was joining other citizens from 19 Caribbean countries who were simultaneously participating in the event.
Throughout the day, many persons who accessed testing were doing so for the first time, and the National AIDS Programme Coordinator observed that a wider cross section of the population ranging from youth to middle age registered for testing. She noted that it was an indication that the Programme’s public awareness efforts were being effective.
Caribbean Regional Testing Day in the Territory was also a day of education with ongoing presentations, condom demonstrations and discussions on safe sex practices.
Individuals still wishing to participate in the HIV Testing initiative or access sexual health information are encouraged to visit the National AIDS Programme on the second floor of the Betito Frett Building, upstairs Little Switzerland in the yellow building next to Banco Popular in Road Town; the Iris O’Neal Clinic in The Valley, Virgin Gorda and the Anegada Clinic in The Settlement, Anegada.
The National AIDS Programme thanks all individuals and businesses who assisted with ensuring that the day was a success. These include the counsellors, testers, and the management and staff of Scotia Bank BVI Limited.
The National AIDS Programme functions as the HIV/AIDS focal point for the Virgin Islands and collaborates with local, regional and international agencies in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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British Virgin Islands News