Nevis males turned out in numbers for HIV test
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Youngsters sought to know their status
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CHALRESTOWN, Nevis – HEALTH personnel who formed the Nevis Clinical HIV/AIDS team and officials of the Nevis HIV/AIDS Coordinating Unit highly commended the men who turned up last Saturday to find out their status at the Charlestown Villa grounds, where HIV tests were conducted.
Acting National Coordinator of the Unit, Nicole Slack-Liburd said, “We had about 65 men tested but I am still waiting for the confirmation from the lab. The event was very successful. We had to turn some away when we reached our cut off time, 5.00 p.m. and many requested that we do it again in two weeks.”
Liburd declared that Friday, June 27 would be designated “National HIV Testing Day” and is calling on the private sector to support all testing days. She also noted that the financial costs attached to HIV testing and pointed out that Carino was the major sponsor for Saturday’s event.
“Based on the turnout, we hope that people will see the importance of events such as this. We would like to have such events as
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High Court official John Arthurton, Heliana (his mother) and his brother Eddy teamed up to seek their status
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many times as we can, but it all depends on the financial support we get from various entities.
“We really want to thank the staff who gave away their weekend. We had our nursing staff, counsellors...we had a long day and we have had long weeks as we prepared for the event. We do not have the results yet, we have to review the tests. We will issue a press release.
“I think men did get the message because we see a significant turnout. I did not expect that we would see such a large turnout but we really did and I am hoping that other men take examples from that. HIV test is not a test we can shy away from anymore. In the event that you are positive, we are able to take care of you,” Liburd said.
Fifteen persons who have tested positive on Nevis are currently receiving care and support as well as free medication.
“There was such demand here. It was unbelievable. If we had to stay on and attend to all those who turned up, we would have had to stay on until midnight. We really thank the men who turned up,” Liburd said in an interview.
Advanced Voluntary Counselling and Testing Counsellor and Trainer, Nurse Eldina Farrell was greatly encouraged: “The clients today responded very well, they are not very fearful of the results because HIV counselling tends to eliminate all those fears. A positive test does not mean you are going to die. It does not mean you must call the undertaker. A positive test tells you must begin to take better care of yourself. It also makes you aware there is care and support and free treatment.
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Pedro and his girlfriend Mari sought to know their status
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“I think people are afraid of stigma and discrimination. Should anybody discover they are positive, how will they be treated? We have done quite a lot today to ensure privacy and confidentiality and this kept away the fears,” Farrell noted.
She said the awareness creation is paying off: “It means people are listening. People are really concerned about their status and they see the benefits of VCT. They believe in us when we say we respect their privacy and confidentiality.”
Clients were tested and counselled in private tents. They waited for results of their tests at separate tents.
“I do not think we give men enough credit. Nevis has wonderful fathers. We counselled them on how important the test is especially if they are preparing to have children, because they are not only protecting themselves, they are protecting the future generation...their children. For those who did not come, you can still come; the test is still available and free at the hospital or go to the nearest health centre and you will get assistance,” Farrell advised. ~~Adz:Right~~
Many clients shied away from interviews, but Eugene Weekes, a born again Christian who has had only one partner since he got married over 20 years ago, talked to SKNVibes.
Weekes said he has learnt through self-education and from the awareness created that Sexually Transmittted Diseases (STDS) and HIV/AIDS could be transmitted not only through sexual intercourse but also by other ways. He said testing is making a responsible decision concerning one’s health.
He said he did not find the testing process difficult but he did not like the music. He said certain messages in some songs only accelerate the risk of getting the HIV virus. Asked why he had taken the test and he was a born again Christian, Weekes said, “Just to double check and to triple check to ensure that everything is okay. There is no doubt I am okay, but I want to be absolutely sure I am okay.”
He said the counsellors helped clients to assess their lifestyle, “they find your history... you do not have to answer.” He said Christians must also embrace the test.
Asked what attitude the Christian community ought to have to those who test positive, Weekes said, “We have to love them and reassure them that they are still human beings. We need to encourage them and be a support for them. Some are hurting, ashamed, abused and neglected. It is the duty of the Christian community to take care for them. I am not convinced Christ would abandon those individuals. We are supposed to be Christ-like.”
Weekes said he would have loved to see ministers of the Gospel team up with the health personnel at the testing venue.
