“The soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force have been, and continue to be an inspiration in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”

SO said Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, at the end of a well-turned-out HIV/AIDS health walk staged by the Guyana Defence Force HIV Workplace Programme here in the city yesterday.

Making an assessment of the two-year old ‘HIV-Workplace’ programme, Dr. Ramsammy, who was also on that walk, asserted: “Let it be written, said and seen, that the Guyana Defence Force has taken leadership in the fight against HIV…”

The march literally attracted thousands – soldiers as well as other supportive agencies including Non-governmental Organisations, other workplace HIV groups, and private individuals.

The colourful parade moved off from in the vicinity of the Bank of Guyana at precisely 06:00 h – a first demonstration of the kind of discipline by which the Army is characterized. Many supporters who turned up late had to join them along the parade route.

In the lead were Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. David Robinson, Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best, Programme Manager of the GDF HIV Workplace Programme, Ms Beverly Gomes-Lovell, and other key persons.

Starting off at a brisk pace, the keenly enthusiastic marchers, accompanied by members of the GDF Drum Corps, moved through the streets of Georgetown with a distinct swagger to their steps.

As the catchy up-tempo and familiar tunes emanating from the drums filled the air, many a sleepy head along the route could be seen lounging inside their doorways, still bleary-eyed, but eager nevertheless to see what all the racket was about. Others leaned as far out their windows as possible so as not to miss a thing.

The parade proceeded south along Avenue of the Republic; east into Regent Street, south into Camp Street, east into D’Urban Street; north into Vlissengen Road and onto Irving Street, ending up at the GDF play ground – Camp Ayangana, Thomas Lands.

Marching for a noble cause and never tiring, the participants, with a tremendous amount of energy resonating from within, kept up the momentum, until reaching their destination.

Competing favourably with the able-bodied soldiers well accustomed to such strenuous activities, were an amputee (briskly walking with the aid of a pair crutches), at least two persons in wheel chairs, an infant in a stroller, and a few children under seven.

Though it was the Army’s first health walk – the event was dubbed a huge success. As part of their prevention campaign, ranks also distributed condoms to commuters and motorists along the parade route.

Evidently delighted at the giant strides being made by the soldiers in their response to the HIV/AIDS in Guyana, Dr. Ramsammy declared the GDF to be leading in the battle being fought against HIV. Full of pride at the accomplishments of ‘The People’s Army’, the Health Minister congratulated the soldiers as he took to the podium.

He opined that, comparatively, the GDF would rank very high when it comes to mobilizing and making people aware of, and fighting against, HIV/AIDS.

While noting that part of the Army’s responsibility is protecting the nation from terrorism, (which they are doing), Minister Ramsammy signaled that there is a greater – global terrorism and holocaust out there - HIV/AIDS, against which they have to wage a successful battle.

Ambassador Robinson also commended the Army and the Ministry of Health and their leadership in what he referred to as a ‘ground-breaking partnership’ in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Of the collaboration, he said: “We have a lot to teach the rest of the world about how to cooperate against this pernicious disease.”

Alluding to the issue of national security, which is currently preoccupying the nation, and bringing to justice those who perpetrate crimes against innocent civilians, the Ambassador noted that there are other threats to be confronted, HIV/AIDS being one of them.

Ambassador Robinson observed that, where HIV/AIDS is concerned, in the long haul, the disease is just as dangerous to the peace and prosperity of Guyana as any other threat is.

He congratulated the army on a job well done in the fight against HIV/AIDS, adding that the partnership being forged at this time is precisely the right approach to take.

Speaking on behalf of the Army, Commodore Best saw the work of the army’s HIV Workplace programme and the related walk, as “putting a human face” to the work of the Guyana Defence Force.

Noting that the Army has troops all over Guyana, he called for a replication of such activity at all the country’s borders and in the various communities they serve. He noted too that the Force stands well positioned in the fight against HIV/AIDS locally, and expressed confidence that if the ranks of the army ‘hold on and bond together’ the fight against HIV in Guyana will be successful.

And, touching on dangerous practices, the Chief of Staff cautioned against persons deliberately passing the virus on to others. This practice, which constitutes ‘criminal negligence’, he said, is not just a ‘violent act’ but a health risk which has far-reaching implications.

Wrapping up, Programme Manager of the GDF HIV Workplace Programme, Mrs. Beverly Gomes-Lovell thanked all those agencies and persons who continue to lend support to the army’s programme, including Dr Ramsammy and the staff of the Ministry of Health, Commodore Best and all senior officers and other ranks; the [U.S.] President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Programme; the United States Government; the United States Military Liaison; the United States Southern Command (for their sponsorship); Ambassador Robinson and the United States Embassy in Guyana; and the United States Center for Diseases Control (CDC). She also thanked all those who participated in yesterday’s walk.