15% VI’s HIV/AIDS cases are homosexuals
Chairman of the BVI HIV/AIDS Foundation, Dr. Ronald McAnaney made this disclosure and revealed that as of November 2011, there were 68 persons living with the disease.
“Records show that out of that number, 35 are males and 33 are females. Meanwhile, 75 percent of the heterosexuals living with AIDS more than half are women,” Dr. McAnaney told Virgin Islands News Online.
These figures come on the heels of World AIDS Day, which will be observed on Thursday, December 1, 2011 worldwide under the theme, “Getting to zero”.
Asked if it’s alarming that more women are getting infected with the disease, Dr. McAnaney stated, “That has been the trend for several years now, not only in the VI but throughout the world.”
He further disclosed that the HIV/AIDS Foundation provides free medication and free follow up medical tests to 28 patients.
Data from the Health Ministry indicate that from June 1985 to date – 102 reports were recorded, with 34 patients dying.
VI activities
According to Dr. McAnaney, the HIV-AIDS Foundation is cordially inviting the general public to attend the Annual Candle Lighting ceremony on Thursday December 1, 2011 at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park. The event is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
“This ceremony provides our community an opportunity to remember all the people who have died from AIDS and join in solidarity to support everyone who is infected and affected with HIV in the Virgin Islands,” he added.
This news agency was unable to contact National AIDS Programme (NAP) Coordinator, Noelene Levons-Clarke, however, the unit is currently conducting a National Youth Summit Tour to all secondary and tertiary educational institutions in the VI.
Held under the theme, “The Right to be Me and to Beat HIV”, the tour targets youths between the ages of 12 to 24 years. It began on Monday, November 28 and will end on Friday, December 2, 2011.
And recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that 240,000 individuals are living with AIDS in the Caribbean.
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