Public access to anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs is responsible for a major drop in the spread of HIV/AIDS in Jamaica, medical authorities in Jamaica have declared.
According to Health Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson, the 42 percent reduction in AIDS deaths between 2005-2011 suggested that the island had come a long way on its own but especially with the introduction of anti-retroviral drugs which contributed to a 50% reduction in deaths since their introduction in 2004.
Meanwhile, Ferguson appealed to Jamaicans to assist in the Mission to Zero New Infection by getting tested. This is the new, catchy theme for the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign.
Typical antiretroviral therapy (ART) usually consists of a cocktail of three antiretoviral drugs to aggressively suppress the HIV disease and deaths have also been reduced with the use of the potent ARV regimen, especially in the early stages of the illness.
“Three hundred and thirty-three deaths (197 males and 136 females) were reported in 2010, compared to 665 in 2004,” Fergusson said. “This represents a 50 per cent decrease in AIDS deaths since the inception of universal access to ARV in 2004 and a 46 per cent decrease when compared to 2000 (617).”
Ferguson attributed the success to improved and increased testing, improved HIV surveillance and increased HIV awareness among the general population through public education awareness plans. He also suggested that the island was attempting to meet the 2015 targets as decided through a 2011 political declaration on HIV/AIDS.
Fergusson encouraged all sexually active people to know his/her status by getting tested early and practising safe sex thus protecting friends, family and partners as well as children.
“I am convinced that we can achieve this mission despite the impending challenges, most significant, the funding of program,” Fergusson concluded.
Source: atlantablackstar.com
