Source: Guyana Chronicle, 12th June, 2008

MINISTER of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, has alluded to Guyana’s success in stabilising HIV/AIDS, with clear signs already of reversal of the epidemic in this country.

The Minister was at the time speaking at a high level meeting on a comprehensive review of the progress achieved in realising the Declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, at the United Nations in New York on Tuesday.

Noting that there are definite signs of reversal of the epidemic, Minister Ramsammy said Guyana has integrated the challenge of co-infection with tuberculosis in the country’s fight against HIV.

“HIV-TB co-infection is already too deadly and a targeted global approach is required to deal with this problem, particularly with the growing issue of MDR-TB,” he said.

It was highlighted that Guyana has adopted guidelines for earlier treatment of persons living with HIV.

“Treatment of persons living with HIV must revert to the discretion of their doctors and must not be restricted by imposed CD4 cut-offs or because of financial considerations,” Minister Ramsammy said.

He noted that since 2001, significant progress has been made in making medicines and commodities for the fight against HIV more affordable.

However, commodities, such as female condoms, various laboratory reagents and medicines, such as those needed for 2nd line treatment are still too expensive.

The Health Minister said prevention, treatment and care for HIV must become fully integrated into the provision of health care for all. Important links to maternal and child health, immunization, mental health and non-communicable chronic diseases programs are crucial for success.

“In this regard, Guyana regrets that we have not been able to persuade our partners that use of HIV funding for programmes such as VIA screening, HPV-testing and HPV vaccination for cervical cancer is integral in the provision of effective anti-HIV programmes,” he said.

Minister Ramsammy said there is need for a far more aggressive prevention strategy in which all tools are optimally utilised. The intensification of school education programmes on reproductive health, including sexually transmitted infections, must be a major undertaking of countries and this must become a part of the leadership coming from the UN.

Noting that the battle against HIV can only succeed if there is a strong multi-sector approach, Minister Ramsammy urged the participants to acknowledge that HIV is a public health threat and leadership in the fight to stop HIV must come from and be integrated with the public health system.

“The exceptionality of AIDS must not be a vehicle to shift responsibility from public health to some other authority or sector,” he said.

It was highlighted that Guyana continues to be faced with the problem of outward migration of skilled health care personnel.

Minister Ramsammy said, “We are dismayed that after many meetings and conferences, an equitable solution is not anticipated soon. Guyana’s position is that recipient countries should assist developing countries to enhance their training capacity.”

At a recent World Health Assembly meeting in Geneva, the Minister had spoken of the skills migration and its effect on the health sector.