The World AIDS Campaign touched down in Belize today at the Alejo Beni Park in Dangriga Town where activists, policy makers, school children, the Prime Minister and two other government ministers were there to make it clear that the fight against aids is a concerted effort and a national priority.
7NEWS traveled to Dangriga for one ceremony that packed substance.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
The agenda could not have been more packed this morning as new commissioners were inducted into the National AIDS Commission, the Anglican Church and UNICEF signed an agreement to address the issue of orphans as a result of HIV/AIDS, the "know your status" campaign was launched and the World AIDS Campaign was inaugurated under the theme "Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS, we choose to live." And the Prime Minister says the theme is fitting in Belizean society.
Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister
"The face of HIV/AIDS has become young and female. The issue of gender relations in our society in the process of changing sexual behaviour must be addressed as a matter of urgency. Our women, young and old, must be empowered to protect themselves from this disease. Left unchecked, this disease can halt and reverse all the development gains we have made."
"Belize now has a fully fledge multi-sectoral response and as a nation we have accepted the serious challenge of HIV/AIDS and the stigma that fuels its spread. Yet we know that more work is urgently needed to stop the spread of HIV and alleviate suffering caused by AIDS using compassion, leadership, and a sense of moral responsibility."
And government is taking on that responsibility as today Minister of Health Hon. Vildo Marin announced that there is infrastructure in the form of voluntary testing clinics across the country.
Hon. Vildo Marin, Minister of Health
"VCT sites have also been established countrywide at each district hospitals, with the exception of Stann Creek where it is housed in the Dangriga Health Center. Knowledge of HIV infection is a prerequisite to initiating anti-retroviral therapy for the long-term treatment of people living with the disease. It is also the main entry point for interventions that prevent HIV infection in infants and young children. HIV infected women who know their serous status are able to make informed choices about their reproductive lives and if pregnant to access specific intervention such as antiretroviral drugs and infant feeding counseling and support which can significantly reduce the risk of mother to child transmission of HIV."
"Know your HIV status, get tested today to prevent HIV Aids in Belize."
But even as there is the push to encourage people to get tested there is still that bigger issue of the stigma that is attached to persons living with the disease, which, Marin urges, needs to be stopped.
Hon. Vildo Marin,
"Those who are discriminated against might suffer physically and psychologically while those who fear discrimination may be reluctant to seek testing or treatment. This therefore can lead to the fact that Belizeans who may appear healthy and are not aware of their HIV status and those at risk for intervention are less likely to protect themselves and their partners from infection. The stigma and discrimination must stop."
But while there is hope in waiting for that to occur, for its part government is already moving if not in the direction of addressing stigma to treat people living with HIV/AIDS by dispensing treatment to 200 Belizeans living with the disease.
Hon. Vildo Marin,
"Presently almost 100 Belizeans are accessing these medications and we want to encourage other Belizeans to access this service."
"We have yet another opportunity to make a major difference in the course of this HIV epidemic in Belize and also how history will record our actions in the years to come."
And if today's packed ceremony is any indication, we are well on the way to see some serious results in those years to come.
The testing campaign commenced today and will be promoted advertisements in television, radio and newspapers.