“HIV is not just another disease. It is a scourge overwhelming humanity and it cannot be confronted by Governments alone. This is a scourge where the only answer is in a united approach, an approach that would definitely fail without education and awareness. Hence, we have to empower ourselves and others.”

This was the charge delivered by Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, at the graduation ceremony today for thirty-two young persons following a training programme to spread awareness and education about HIV. The programme, entitled, “HIV/AIDS/STIs” was hosted by the University of Guyana Berbice Campus, Tain, Region Six, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health during the past two months and featured lectures on topical areas including, a review of the reproductive system, immune system, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, the prevention of transmission of HIV from a mother to her child, the HIV epidemiology and stigma and discrimination.

According to Minister Ramsammy, Guyana has been making headways in the fight against HIV, but people there remains significant room for change in people’s behaviour, which could further reduce the spread of HIV. “Whether HIV is transmitted or not is entirely up to you. HIV gives you a choice, but many of us make the wrong choice because we are unaware of the dangers associated with our choices. And this is where your challenge lies as graduates because you have to now ensure that people are educated so that they can make the correct choices,” he said.

He urged the graduates not to sit idle with their training, but rather to work in their homes, religious edifices and even community events. This is more so relevant since the disease has already infected about seventy million people globally, a third of whom succumbed. “This is not a virus worth playing with,” he cautioned, adding that this programme is a good way of the university playing a role. “Universities are places for ideas and I must commend the University of Guyana for taking this bold step in this great idea,” he added.

This is the third such programme hosted by the university, but the first at the Berbice Campus. The facilitators included Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at University of Guyana Turkeyen Campus, Dr. Cummings, Chief Executive Officer of the Berbice Health Authority, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo and Dr. Kalika Prashad of New Amsterdam Hospital.

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