Away they go! Balloons were released by patrons who attended the ceremony last evening. Photo: Aneka Edwards/VINO

Hon. Skelton about to light the first candle. Photo: VINO

A simple ceremony was held at the Noel Lloyd Action Movement Park last evening, Thursday December 1, 2011 in observance of World AIDS Day.

Data shows that as of December 1, 2011, there are 68 persons living with the disease, with 34 patients dying since the awareness of the disease in the VI in 1985.

Speaking at the simple ceremony, Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie Skelton pledged that his Government will give all the necessary support to people living with HIV/AIDS.

“When we were here some four years ago we made that commitment and I think it’s a commitment that we must make again, because this is not just a disease. Here in the BVI we have 68 patients who have the disease and I believe as a people, and as a Government is a situation that we can handle, that we must handle if we are to avoid an increase in the numbers ....I am pledging publicly today that you have this Government’s full support,” Hon. Skelton declared.

Furthermore, Dr. Ronald McAnaney, chairman of the HIV Foundation cautioned persons who are sexually active to get tested to learn “his or her HIV status”.

“Historically the first HIV case was recorded in the VI to Government in 1985, since then our Government and health services have been struggling with the disease. Strategies have been developed, including the launch of the National AIDS Programme and scaling our health sector response,” Dr. McAnaney disclosed.

He also noted that through partnerships with other regional and international agencies, the VI has attained success in decreasing the number of deaths, and added, “The VI has been able to receive technical and financial support to scale up our HIV response.”

Meanwhile, Jenny McCleary, wife of the Governor and Patron of the HIV/AIDS Foundation, commended the Foundation for doing a lot of hard work to promote the awareness of the disease.

And National AIDS Programme (NAP) Coordinator, Noelene Levons-Clarke, along with Ms. Fifth Form 2011 recited a poem while the balloons were released.

Additionally, Tree Alexander, an HIV infected advocate briefly spoke at the ceremony, which was chaired by Elton Georges, Complaints Commissioner.

Also in attendance was 1st district representative, Hon. Andrew Fahie, who joined in the candle lighting ceremony.

This year’s theme was “Getting to Zero”.