The tenth annual Phillip Vanderhyden Walk-a-thon was held yesterday, and attracted hundreds of workers and others committed to the fight against HIV-AIDS, and determined to play their part in the reduction of Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Living With HIV-AIDS (PLWHA).

The walk, which began outside the Bank of Guyana Building, and wended its way through the streets of Georgetown, culminated in a rally outside the National Cultural Centre on Homestretch Avenue.

Several non-governmental organisations and private sector agencies and some government ministries, were among entities represented in the march.
Leading the walk-a-thon were United States Ambassador David Robinson; Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy; Executive Director of Life Line Counselling Services Ms. Carlotta Williams; Private Sector Representative from Barama – Miss Griffith and others.

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), which formulated a Workplace HIV-AIDS Programme in 2004, in collaboration with USAID and GHARP, with 90 persons on parade yesterday, for the second consecutive year had the largest contingent on the walk-a-thon.

Several private sector agencies having formulated HIV Workplace programmes were notably absent from yesterday’s walk-a-thon, despite a special appeal made by the United States Ambassador for greater participation this year.