The two-day workshop is designed to lay the foundation for more effective multi-sectoral collaboration in the fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS in the Virgin Islands, and to facilitate greater integration with national and regional goals.

The Virgin Islands will benefit from the expertise of Mr. Roger McLean of the

Health Economics Unit of the University of the West Indies, the consultant contracted by the Pan American Health Organization HIV Caribbean Office (PHCO) to facilitate this process.

The workshop will be held on Thursday, March 22 and Friday, March 23 at the

Training Division to develop a national strategic plan for HIV/AIDS. Members of the House of Assembly, and officials from the public and private health, tourism and finance sectors, are invited to participate, along with persons representing non-governmental organisations, civil society and faith-based organisations.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Mrs. Petrona Davies spoke with the Department of Information and Public Relations and

stated, “The development of a National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS is a key deliverable of the Ministry’s strategic plan, and the Territory’s participation in the European Commission’s HIV Project for Overseas Country Territories.”

The National Strategic Plan for HIV is expected to outline the strategic direction of the national HIV response for the Virgin Islands, by clearly defining key strategic objectives and activities to achieve the goals of the plan over the next five years.

According to National AIDS Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Noelene Levons-Clarke, a national strategic plan for HIV/AIDS is a key instrument, since approximately

250,000 people in the region are currently living with HIV, with 20,000 new infections and 12,000 deaths annually from AIDS-related illnesses.

AIDS, the late stage of HIV infection, is still the leading cause of death in the Caribbean for persons between the ages of 15 and 44 years which represents the age

of the primary work force and reproductive population.

Mrs. Levons-Clarke noted that through the development of a national strategic

plan for HIV/AIDS, the Territory’s could be better implemented and monitored across all sectors of the community to mitigate the effects of the disease on the population.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development endeavours to provide leadership

that promotes health, social well-being and a safe environment.