Identify your role in fight against HIV/Aids – Dr Rhonda Moore
As Guyana marks more than 25 years in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Guyanese are being encouraged to identify their roles in the battle.
The call came from Programme Manager of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr Rhonda Moore, at a ‘World AIDS Day’ walk on Saturday morning.
Representatives of Rong-An Inc. joined by the 13th Chinese Medical Team and officials in Kwakwani during the outreach
“Do you see your role as a valuable contribution, or is it a lifetime commitment to ending HIV/AIDS? The goal is to end AIDS by 2030,” Dr. Moore said.
She observed that dedication and hard work are necessary if the goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS within 12-13 years is to be achieved.
Dr Moore reported that 2016 statistics show that, worldwide, there are 21 million persons living with HIV/AIDS who have access to treatment. Guyana has an estimated 8,492 persons living with HIV.
“Sixty-nine per cent of those persons knew that they have HIV. Of those who knew their status, 84 per cent were on treatment; and of those who access treatment, 68 per cent achieved virus suppression,” Dr Moore detailed.
The NAPS Programme Manager further noted: “The National AIDS Programme Secretariat will this year celebrate 25 years in fighting against HIV/AIDS.” However, she said, work still needs to be done to reduce stigma and discrimination while creating an enabling environment for persons to access care and treatment.
Dr. Moore emphasised it is crucial that this service is sustained.
According to the Department of Public Information, hundreds attended the Health Walk, which was a collaboration between the National AIDS Programme Secretariat and several public health agencies and international developmental partners. The exercise culminated at the Square of the Revolution with a brief interfaith programme
World AIDS Day will be observed on December 1, 2017, under the theme ‘My Health, My Right’
