A significant number of Barbadians are still unaware of their HIV status, as they are not coming forward to be tested. Even more alarming is the fact that some Barbadians are only being diagnosed at a late stage, resulting in them succumbing to AIDS, when they could have lived longer with the wide range of anti-retroviral drugs available to date.
This disclosure was made by Dr. Joy St. John, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Health, as she spoke on the occasion of the Regional Testing Day 2013 ceremony held at the Parliament Court Yard in Bridgetown yesterday.
One hundred and eighty-three testing centres were mounted in 21 countries across the region, when the sixth Regional HIV Testing Day took place, under the aegis of the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS, with support from Scotiabank, in collaboration with the Pan Caribbean Partnership on HIV/AIDS. Here in Barbados, the testing sites included the Parliament Court Yard and the following Bank of Nova Scotia locations – Rockley, Christ Church; Wildey, St. Michael; Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael; Broad Street, The City; Warrens, St. Michael; Holetown, St. James; and Carlton, Black Rock, St. Michael. Dr. St. John also noted that rapid testing was made available at select sites as well.
The Regional Testing Day, Dr. St. John said, was really about empowerment, since those who have access to HIV testing can then make informed decisions about their health. Diagnosis of HIV enables persons living with the disease to have access to treatment, while those who are declared negative can still be coached on additional preventative measures, the CMO stressed.
Lending his voice to the issue, Health Minister John Boyce also echoed the call for more Barbadians to come forward and be tested. The mandate in Barbados is to increase the number of persons tested, he said, and to also reduce the number of persons contracting HIV. At present, Boyce stressed, many persons do not know they are infected, and hence the need for additional testing at the community level.
HIV testing will continue today at Emerald City Supermarket, Six Roads, St. Philip and Jubilee Gardens, The City, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Also on Sunday, testing will be at St. Aidan Anglican Church, Bathsheba, St. Joseph, between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Truth for the Final Generation Adventist Church from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.; and the Jackson Church of God, Jackson, St. Michael, from 2 until 4 p.m. (RSM)
