The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

WITH World AIDS Day just around the corner, the AIDS Foundation of the Bahamas has re-stated its commitment to seeing that there are no new infections, no AIDS-related deaths and no stigma and discrimination and a reminder of the need for a collective fight to achieve that goal.

Celebrated every year on December 1, World AIDS Day 2016 calls for expanding anti-retroviral therapy to all people living with HIV, the key to ending the AIDS epidemic within a generation, according to the World Health Organisation. The day is also a way to demonstrate international solidarity for people living with HIV and to commemorate the spirit of those who have died battling the deadly disease.

The Bahamas AIDS Foundation is continuing with its initiatives to raise more awareness and educate people on the disease.

Tomorrow night, the organisation in partnership with the national HIV/AIDS Centre of the Ministry of Health, will hold a candle light vigil at Fort Charlotte to commemorate those who have died from AIDS-related causes and remember those living with HIV and AIDS. It begins at 6pm.

On Saturday the organisation’s Annual Fun/Run/Walk/Cycle event takes place at Goodman’s Bay. Start time is 6am.

Lady Camille Barnett, president of the Bahamas AIDS Foundation, told Tribune Health that the organisation’s objective remain educating and sensitising people to the fight against HIV and AIDS. “This year one of things that we hoped to do is reduce the mother to child transmission. We think this is something that is doable, something that is in our grasp,” she said.

The foundation is in the process of finalising two public service announcements - one that will encourage the use of condoms and another that will encourage women who are pregnant and HIV positive to take medication to protect their babies.

“The numbers as it relates to mother to child transmission is relatively small. But because we know the numbers are small we know that this is something manageable and is something that we can achieve once we get women who are at child bearing age to get tested. Though the numbers are small anything more that zero is too much. And in today’s age there is no reason for a child to be born with HIV/AIDS contracted from their mom,” Lady Camille said.

The foundation also continues to place special attention on young people by empowering them and giving them hope through its Adolescents’ Outreach Programme. Several components part of the initiative include an after-school programme providing access to computers, tutoring, work towards national examinations (BJC and BGCSE) a hot meal, counselling, life skills, job skills/placement, and support services and the purchase of special third line medicines needed by some persons.

“Our focus is still on young people part of our outreach programme,” Lady Camille said. “We are just trying to give the kids support so that they can continue to taking their medications, stay healthy and have a sense of hope. And even the adults need that but we can only afford to focus on the kids at this time.”

The Bahamas AIDS Foundation is a non-profit, non-government organisation dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Bahamas and worldwide. Those interested in donating or volunteering with the foundation can contact 242-325-9326.