World AIDS Day signals the remembrance of the millions of people who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses, many of whom died because they could not access HIV services, and because of stigma, discrimination, fear, and criminalization of key populations. Photo: Internet Source

Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs Jacinth Hannibal is urging residents to ‘Know their status’ as the Territory joins the rest of the world in observing the 30th anniversary of the first World AIDS Day on December 1, 2018. Photo: Internet Source

According to a press release from the Government Information Service, dated November 30, 2018,  Mrs Hannibal said roughly one of every four HIV positive persons in the region are not aware that they are infected and that is why it is important for persons to continue to get tested so that they can know their status.

“Knowledge is power and knowing your status means you can take steps to protect yourself and others,” Mrs Hannibal said.  She added, “When people are ignorant of their HIV status they miss the opportunity to access early care and treatment leading to disease and death,”

She said that almost a quarter of new diagnoses in the Caribbean occurred among people at an advanced stage of infection. 

“Men who are less likely to go to the clinic or visit a doctor unless they are gravely ill are at greater risk. In the BVI, the rate of new infections averages seven per year and most infections are reportedly contracted through heterosexual contact. There were four cases in 2017 and three cases in 2018. Ultimately, there were no deaths from AIDS-related illnesses reported to the Ministry of Health this year.”

World AIDS Day signals the remembrance of the millions of people who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses, many of whom died because they could not access HIV services, and because of stigma, discrimination, fear, and criminalization of key populations.

Mrs Hannibal further said that there have been many gains in the thirty years including the elimination of mother to child transmission of the virus in many countries including six Caribbean Territories which means that no child will be born with HIV.  She said, in addition, access to care and treatment for persons infected with HIV has improved as well as prevention and testing equipment and supplies have been made more available.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development continues to offer free testing at its Family Health Unit located at the Road Town Senior Building, across from the Red Cross Building in Road Town, Tortola. Condoms are also being distributed through our community partners.

Individuals can access testing for HIV, as well as other STIs at any community health clinic or private health care system in the Territory and testing, is covered under the National Health Insurance.