AIDS STILL A MAJOR CAUSE OF DEATHS

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

Nassau, The Bahamas

DESPITE advances over the past several years AIDS remains a leading cause of death among Bahamians aged 25 to 44 years old, the prime minister said.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham opened the first Caribbean HIV Conference this weekend to discuss the multi-faceted issues facing the region's battle to combat the disease.

Under the theme: "Strengthening Evidence to Achieve Sustainable Action", Mr Ingraham said the Bahamas was pleased to host the regional collaborative effort of the 2011 Caribbean HIV Conference.

"While there has been a decline in new cases," he said, "and a major reduction in mother-to-child transmission and decreasing mortality, AIDS remains a leading cause of death."

According to Mr Ingraham, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first recognised in the US in 1981. The first case of AIDS was reported in the Caribbean and in the Bahamas nearly 30 years ago.

Giving an update on the treatment of AIDS in the Bahamas, Mr Ingraham said research into the disease has paved the way for medical advances such as the antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and the generic ARVs that are available and funded by the Bahamas Government for residents through partnerships with international organisations.

He said regardless of immigration status individuals afflicted with the disease are provided with treatment, which includes clinical care and support, diagnostic testing and treatment.

"Sustainable high quality prevention, treatment, care and support services that are accessible by all residents of the Bahamas living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS regardless of legal status or ability to pay" is the basic mission of the National HIV/AIDS programme in the Bahamas, he said.

Antenatal care and treatment has been important in preventing mother to child transmission, said Mr Ingraham. This, he said, led to no babies being detected with the transmission of HIV from infected mothers in the Bahamas last year.

"The Ministry of Health has been proactive in reaching persons at risk for HIV infection, but there are still significant challenges in accessing vulnerable and at risk individuals for diagnosis, care and treatment," he said.

The Prime Minister said HIV/AIDS infected persons continue to be stigmatised and descriminated against, even as progress has been made. He added that further steps must be made to defuse fears associated with the disease.

"The Bahamas has been a leader in developing legislation to protect the rights of minorities and others living with HIV," said Mr Ingraham. "In 1991, the Bahamas decriminalised homosexuality between consenting adults and was the only Caribbean country to sign the Paris Declaration in 1994 which set global standards for HIV and human rights."

Further, Mr Ingraham said the Bahamas has passed legislation strengthening protection against workplace discrimination for persons infected with HIV.

"Despite the fact that the rate of new HIV infections has slowed and prevalence rates have levelled off globally, the total number of people living with HIV continues to rise," said Mr Ingraham.

He said there are still significant challenges in "accessing vulnerable and at risk individuals for diagnosis, care and treatment".

November 21, 2011

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