Health ministry holds prevention workshop to tackle HIV and AIDS in St Lucia

The Ministry of Health and Wellness in St has held a combination preventive workshop to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.

According to the latest statistics, over 700 people living in the country have HIV-positive.

And based on data from 2009, the Caribbean is the second-most affected region in terms of HIV prevalence.

Approximately 1% of adults – 240,000 people – are living with the disease.

This is higher than any other region except Sub-Saharan Africa. Several factors influence this epidemic, including poverty, gender, sex tourism, and stigma.

The St Lucian health ministry last week held a four-day workshop to curb the spread of the condition.

Impact on the Caribbean

One of the facilitators was Bennet Charles, communications and advocacy officer for United and Strong, a human rights organisations with focus on the LGBTI community.

“HIV and AIDS impact on the Caribbean region, particularly Saint Lucia. It’s really and truly one that is affecting some serious populations: [men having sex with men], sex workers and young persons,” he said.

“Today the we focus on combination prevention and minimum packages. Combination prevention is taking a holistic approach towards dealing with HIV, when you look at the biomedical issues, structural issues, behavioural issues.

“So its move of a holistic approach ensuring that we could truly have a serious impact on the way HIV is affecting key populations in itself.”

A number of organisations that work with specific sections of the population are being brought together to to help deal with HIV and AIDS.

These include the National Youth Council, the St Lucia Planned Parenthood Association and TLC, a support group for persons affected by and living with HIV.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is collaborating with United and Strong through a grant initiative provided by the OECS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.