An inter-faith service to mark World AIDS Day was held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) yesterday morning in recognition of Guyana’s commendable efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS and to call for continued leadership in this regard.

The event, organised by the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) of the Ministry of Health, was attended by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsarran, United States Ambassador to Guyana David Robinson, other members of the diplomatic corps, Parliamentary and Opposition members and others.

Prayers by three religious groups, interpretative dances by the National Dance Company, the Nadira and Indrani Shah Dance Troup, songs by the Woodside Choir and a poem by West Ruimveldt Primary School student Alpha Daniels were highlights of the service.

The same theme for World AIDS Day, ‘Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise- Leadership’, was observed.

Prime Minister Hinds, in his address, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS which includes partnership with multinational agencies and institutions in the United States of America and other countries.

“Your kind assistance to the Guyanese Government and people is testimony to your acceptance that the world is one and all humanity is one. I also extend appreciation to Government employees and NGOs who work to mitigate the effects of those living with HIV/AIDS and to stop the transmission,” the Prime Minister said.

The need for persons to know their HIV status and access to treatment and care for persons living with the deadly virus are two of the crucial areas which, the Prime Minister noted, should be underscored.

“In this regard, let me join in urging the world’s scientists to keep the faith and double their efforts to find a medical cure and a vaccine. I also encourage all of us to preach the approach to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS by living a lifestyle of abstinence, faithfulness, and condomising,” the Prime Minister added.

The emphasis on leadership is fitting, according to Minister Bheri Ramsarran, since Guyana has achieved international recognition for its leadership in battling the world’s leading cause of death.

“When reflecting on this year’s theme, I thought that it should also include the fact that Guyana, having recognised the role of the Ministry of Health and the administration, should rededicate itself to continuing that leadership,” Minister Ramsarran said.

The demonstration of leadership at the level of Parliament was recently highlighted through the adoption of the Port-of-Spain Declaration for the de-stigmatisation against HIV/AIDS.

The Declaration, according to Minister Ramsarran, follows a Regional summit in Port-of-Spain in 2004 that was attended by both Government and Opposition members of the Guyana Parliament.

The meeting entailed a discussion about HIV/AIDS and its impact on the Region’s labour force and called on leaders to enact a Declaration in the various National Assemblies.

“The Parliamentarians of Guyana accept that we must take leadership of the process and commit to always bring it to the fore. We have kept that promise, since even in the different debates, the theme about HIV/AIDS resonates,” Minister Ramsarran added.

Guyana’s leadership in the fight has also been highlighted through partnership. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is one such programme that has been gaining momentum.