Home  News Regional News New strategy to combat HIV/AIDS
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New strategy to combat HIV/AIDS |
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Friday, 25 July 2008 |
ST GEORGE’S – Grenada is using its Carnival celebrations to launch the latest strategy against the spread of the deadly HIV/AIDS virus.
"We don't want anyone to get infected as a result of one careless action during the Carnival season; we want everyone to take all the necessary precaution so that we can put the brakes on AIDS. The intention is to make Grenada HIV/AIDS free," said Caroline Alexis-Thomas, the head of the National AIDS Directorate.
The Carnival education program is being conducted under the theme ‘Put the brakes on AIDS’ and Alexis-Thomas said the aim is to heighten the population’s awareness to the virus, particularly the young people.
“We want them to know the various methods of abstinence, being faithful, condomizing, doing the test and educating and empowering themselves," she added.
Coordinator for the new strategy, Margaret Wells, said that in addition to the distribution of condoms, the campaign would also involve the use of traditional characters to hand out educational materials, covering issues ranging from abstinence to stigma and discrimination, at all major shows.
“What is going to happen is that these characters will be moving through the crowd handing out prevention and other educational leaflets so that people will be reminded about their responsibilities to themselves and others during this festive season," she said.
The authorities said they would also be undertaking similar campaigns at other festivities next month.
"'We will have a presence at the Carriacou Regatta, the Rainbow City festival, Emancipation Day activity...(and) all cultural activities associated with August," she said.
Grenada recorded its first case of HIV/AIDS in 1984. Since then 352 people have been diagnosed with the virus.
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