MESSAGE BY
                                               MINISTER OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
                                                     THE HON. DANCIA PENN OBE, QC,
                                                                                 for
                                                                    World AIDS Day
                                                                    December 1, 2008



~~Adz:Right~~ Roadtown, Tortola - Fellow Virgin Islanders and listeners, today December 1, 2008 we once again join millions of people in more than 190 countries in observing WORLD AIDS DAY. The celebration this year is special as it marks the 20th Anniversary of WORLD AIDS DAY.
 
In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the first World AIDS Day as an event to raise public awareness about HIV/AIDS. This included the need for support and compassion for persons living with HIV/AIDS.  Additionally World AIDS Day also provides an opportunity to highlight the need for continued educational and preventative initiatives.

Under the theme “Leadership” and the slogan “Stop AIDS.  Keep the Promise.”, the BVI community partners with our international brothers and sisters to pause and remember those who have been infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. 

“Leadership” is many things. It can imply the power and authority to make a difference, to lead by action and example. “Leadership” is encouraged at all levels and sectors of our community to stop AIDS.  “Leadership” empowers everyone – individuals, governments, churches and community based organizations to lead in the response to AIDS. 

Although this anniversary of World AIDS Day lauds the significant progress that has been made in preventative care and treatment over the past two decades, it also highlights the journey ahead for leaders at all levels in our community, because there is still no cure for this disease. 

Throughout the world, there are approximately 33 million people living with the HIV infection.  Of these, approximately 230,000 persons are from the Caribbean. Recent statistics show that in 2007, there were approximately 20,000 new HIV cases diagnosed in the Caribbean region.

 
Five years ago, in December 2003, the BVI Ministry of Health knew of only one (1) person living with HIV.  Currently, there are 54 persons in the BVI living with HIV and of these, twenty-three (23) persons are receiving care and treatment through our national health programme. 

This year eight (8) newly diagnosed HIV cases have been reported to the Ministry of Health & Social Development.  This is despite the HIV awareness, prevention and sexual health programmes targeted to all members of our community.

As research continues to find a cure for this pandemic, our Government will endeavour to ensure that HIV programmes and services continue to be integrated into our nation health system. This means that persons living with HIV will have easier access to the vital comprehensive health care services needed for their well-being. This will also go a very long way in helping to remove the stigma from HIV-AIDS.

Through private and public sector partnerships, we have been able to provide access to treatment and care for every known person living here with HIV.  We partner with a number of Departments and agencies as we seek to meet the challenges presented by HIV-AIDS. The various agencies and departments involved in commemorating WORLD AIDS DAY 2008 demonstrate this clearly and I thank each and every one of them for their contributions. There are several - the BVI Health Services Authority, the Red Cross, the HIV-AIDS Foundation, the LEO Club of Tortola and the TAG Team Alliance.

Through the educational efforts of our National AIDS Programme, the Ministry of Health and Social Development has taken the lead to increase the level of awareness of HIV in our community and emphasize the need for each individual to develop and maintain healthy sexual lifestyles.   

The media has a crucial role to play in leadership and education. I am pleased to say that the media has been highly supportive. In particular, I recognize and thank ZROD 103.7 FM and JTV Channel 55 for their contributions. Our print media, especially the Island Sun, the BVI Beacon and the Standpoint have also done a great deal to help increase awareness of HIV-AIDS.

I also recognize and thank all of the artists who will again this year perform at the Artists Against AIDS Concert on 13th December. Several of these have also appeared on the TV series “Let’s Talk About Sex”.

“Let’s talk about Sex”, opens the dialogue for our young people, allows the exchange of appropriate sexual information and focuses on the development of healthy sexual lifestyles.

I was pleased to appear on the first program in that very successful series spearheaded by DJ Push Pop, Craig Lake, to whom I express very special thanks for his interest, drive and commitment in  planning and fostering activities to assist in our community, especially with our young people.

As Minister of Health, I will continue to encourage the development of more youth friendly venues which promote the development and practise of healthy sexual lifestyles among our youth.  

As Minister of Health, I am also supportive of the expansion of the multi-sector response to HIV through the development of a National Strategic Plan to assist with the development of strategies, programmes and services to cope with HIV in the BVI.

We will also continue with the relationships with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and the Pharmaceutical Procurement Services and the other initiatives which ensure access to affordable anti-retroviral drugs. And very importantly we will continue to promote testing for HIV.

As with so many diseases, early detection is very important in improving chances for living well. That is why testing is so important. In an article in the December 1st issue of the Time Magazine, the NBA Legend Magic Johnson, who was diagnosed with HIV several years ago, credits his survival with HIV over several years in part, to early detection.

In closing, I encourage all of you to become involved in the efforts to reduce and halt the transmission of HIV in our community.  I encourage each of you to be responsible and to make healthy sexual choices in your own lives.

I urge you to “Protect Yourself…Stop AIDS” and follow the A, B, C’s.
A – Abstinence.

B – Be faithful in your sexual relationship with one partner.

C – If you cannot do any of the above – CONDOM…IZE
 
I thank you…