Colonel General Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Colonel Julian Bruce Lovell has said that the Force recognises that HIV/AIDS is a public health issue that is inextricably linked to Guyana’s national security, and if left unchecked, can consume “all of us”.

Alluding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic as an ‘unparalleled global blight’ that requires immediate, urgent and sustained action by alliances of individuals, organizations and sectors, Co. Lovell assured that the GDF stands committed to playing its part in the alliance.

Col. Lovell made these remarks as he addressed the opening ceremony of the GDF HIV/AIDS Prevention Project Health Fair at Base Camp Ayangana, Thomas Lands. The theme of the health fair, the first-ever to be hosted by the Army was, “Joining the battle against HIV/AIDS in the Guyana Defence Force.”

Col. Lovell stressed that ‘prevention’ is of paramount importance in any effective response to the problem of HIV/AIDS.

Against this background, he emphasised that there is ever increasing need for behavioural change, in order to combat HIV/AIDS, affirming: &#x201We [the GDF] recognise that if we do not deal with HIV prevention, then we will be condemned to deal with AIDS.”

Listing the impact that HIV/AIDS can have on the army, the third in command of the GDF pointed to the ability of the disease to compromise military preparedness by causing a reduction in manpower levels, due to morbidity and mortality. This can increase our recruitment, training and medical costs, he outlined.

The net result of this: an inability to execute the army’s role of defending the country’s territorial integrity; inability to assist the police in the maintenance of law and order, and helping in the economic development of the country.

Lovell also pointed to the greater span and effects – where the disease not only impacts the individual infected, but also that person’s family. “There is the real and constant danger of onward transmission of the virus to spouses, partners, unborn children, and other members of the Guyanese community,” he stressed.

To this end, Lovell disclosed, HIV/AIDS has forced the army to see itself as constituting a population group that is at special risk for HIV transmission and infection, especially since army generally employs people who are in the age group at greatest risk for HIV infection – the 17 to 24 age group.

That apart, Lovell said, the force faces even greater vulnerability since ranks are oftentimes away from home for extended periods, and therefore find themselves in search of recreational pursuits to relieve stress and loneliness.

Against this background, the CGS reiterated the ever increasing need for behavioural changes, in order to combat HIV/AIDS.

He said the army acknowledges the importance of a civil/military alliance in the fight against HIV/AIDS, adding: &#x201Cn alliance is necessary, since both parties have complimentary and reinforcing roles to play... This constant interaction between the civilian and military populations is necessary so as to optimise on best practices and eliminate counter productive approaches.”

Meanwhile, Focal Point for the GDF HIV/AIDS Prevention Project, Mrs. Beverly Gomes-Lovell, reiterated: &#x201To win the battle against HIV/AIDS, we have to be prepared to act openly. We cannot shy away from the more difficult issues.” To do this, she said, greater leadership is demanded, and it is fundamental that leaders dare to speak up.

?Leaders must be prepared to talk about respect for human rights, gender, power in society and sexual violence, to name a few.” She also made a point for securing greater involvement of People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Gomes- Lovell said that since Guyana is deeply affected by HIV/AIDS, it is crucial to increase awareness, prevention, fight prejudice and improve education. The GDF is prepared to support prevention, treatment, care and impact mitigation, as long as we never lose focus on prevention,” she affirmed.

Lieutenant Colonel Steven Stanley, Chief, United States Military Liaison Officer (USMLO), in his remarks, spoke of the importance to change and of leading change in this country, adding that by staging the health fair the GDF is taking a lead and showing the importance of the particular action as an importance role.

Noting that fight against HIV/AIDS is one of the most important efforts of the United states in Guyana, the top US military official alluded to the US President’s Emergency Programme for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), of which Guyana is one of three countries in the Western hemisphere which receives the particular aid.

And, in acknowledging the presence of the non-governmental organisations which participated, Lt. Col. Stanley, likened them as some of the most important U.S. partners in the battle and underscored the need for partnerships.

Dr. Shanti Singh, Programme Manager of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat, viewed the staging of the health fair as a positive initiative and for which she lauded the GDF.

She reminded the audience that although Guyana has made tremendous strides in the HIV/AIDS fight, it is critical for all to remain vigilant to prevent the spread of the HIV virus and full blown AIDS.

However, the biggest challenge of the anti-AIDS battle, Dr. Singh lamented, lies in persuading people to change their behaviour.

She recalled some years ago a health official describing HIV/AIDS as a national security threat that is so severe that it threatens Guyana’s population and national development.

But she posits that the Army can and should play an important role in the battle against the disease, as young people view soldiers as role models which require them to always maintain disciplined and healthy lifestyles.

“I see the army as a strong resource and a positive influence, the exemplary value-system of the women and men in green can play a contributory role towards inculcating the right attitude and behaviours in the general public in the collective battle against HIV/AIDS,” she added.

The GDF HIV/AIDS Prevention project was initiated in March, 2006, and is sponsored by the United States Southern Command, and implemented by the Centre for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine, HIV/AIDS Prevention Programmes Projects. The Project is also a part of the United States President’s Emergency Programme for AIDS Relief supported initiative, with technical support from the United States Military Liaison Office.

The GDF Health Fair, which attracted a huge turn out, was supported by several NGO and other agencies which had set up some thirty booths.

These included Guyana Red Cross, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association(GRPA), Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention Project (GHARP), Ministry of Health, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Cancer Institute of Guyana, Guyana Rainforest Herbs, National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Guyana Association for Alternative Medicine, Life Line Counselling Services, Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Centre, Merundoi, International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA), Youth Challenge Guyana and Pharmagen Enterprises, Global Imaging Services, Bakja Health Movement, Avon; GDF Credit Union, Carnegie School of Home Economics, USAID(Guyana), Women’s Affairs Bureau, Help and Shelter.

Among the free services offered to members of the public by the GDF Medial Corps, Ministry of Health and Red Cross, were free testing for hypertension/blood pressure, HIV/AIDS, blood sugar and diabetes, and voluntary counseling.

The public was also offered free packets of `cold’ water for the duration of the fair, compliments of `Just Water’ Inc.

However, the highlight of the occasion at which musical entertainment was by the Republican Steel Orchestra of the Guyana Prison Service, was the unveiling of the GDF HIV/AIDS Awareness Prevention Project prevention posters and Army lapel pins by Dr. Shanti Singh and Col. Bruce Lovell.

Among the gathering were Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand, Chief of CDC, Dr. la Mar Hasbrok, Director of USAID, Mr. Peter Hubbard, Officers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) other ranks of the GDF.

The Health Fair culminated later in the evening with a rich cultural presentation featuring, songs, dance, drama, comedy and poetry by the National Dance Company, Artistes in Direct Support, GDF One man Band and the popular stand-up comedy pair of Linden ‘Jumbie’ Jones and Henry Rodney.