By Devonne Cornelius
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN) — “Global solidarity, shared responsibility” is the theme under which World Aids Day 2020 is being celebrated. Junior Minister of Health in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) the Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams delivered an address to mark the occasion recognized annually on December 01.
The theme emphasizes how a unified response to the challenges in the prevention and control of HIV and AIDS and other infectious diseases such as COVID-19, can make the difference. Individuals and communities have a significant role to play in putting an end to HIV and AIDS.
The Health Minister in her address said “A collective effort in addressing major issues such as stigma and discrimination and accessibility to services by vulnerable groups is required. An all of the society approach can have far-reaching success whereby the mantra “leave no one behind” will ensure that all who need care are able to access services without fear or reservation.”
Minister Brandy-Williams said the NIA’s HIV/AIDS Unit within the Health Promotion Unit continues to do its part in offering counseling, free testing, and treatment to the Nevisian public. She used the opportunity to commend the staff within the NIA’s Ministry of Health for their continued work in the maintenance of the services being offered to all at-risk groups, pregnant clients, and the general population.
In observance of World Aids Day 2020, the HIV/AIDS Unit carried out a number of activities at month-end November under the theme “Lime responsibly”.
Each year on World AIDS Day, people around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS. In 2020, the world’s attention has been focused on the COVID-19 pandemic on health and how pandemics affect lives and livelihoods. COVID-19 is showing once again how health is interlinked with other critical issues, such as reducing inequality, human rights, gender equality, social protection, and economic growth.
