Today is World AIDS Day, a day used to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, educate people about prevention methods and eliminate stigma against those infected. To create awareness in Belize, the National AIDS Commission and the Ministry of Health set up a testing site at the Battlefield Park in Belize City today. The site had HIV testing booths, as well as stalls that provided information about prevention and protection. We spoke to the Ministry of Health's Adherence Counselor, Kevin Mendes.
Kevin Mendes – Adherence Counselor, Ministry of Health
"So, today we're gathered because it's a special day, it's World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1st just to commemorate our loved ones and the people that have died as a result of advanced HIV. We're here also to commemorate the persons that are living with HIV, and the advancement that has happened in science for the last 30 years."
Reporter
"Now, we see that there are booths for HIV/AIDS, but there are also booths for different things like vector control program, dental help, and stuff like that. Is this a collaboration between these different sectors?"
Kevin Mendes – Adherence Counselor, Ministry of Health
"Yes so it's very important to realize that HIV is something that effects different parts of the body. So, that's why you see all the different booths, because we want to have a holistic approach to HIV and AIDS. Ministry of Health is one of the entities, one of the bodies that is involved in the HIV response, however there's other Ministries and government agencies that also form part of this response."
Kevin Mendes – Adherence Counselor, Ministry of Health
"One of the things I feel that is important to mention is the free access to treatment and care on behalf of the Ministry of Health. We're moving towards toward integration of systems which means that anybody can go to any Ministry of Health healthcare facility to access treatment and care. That has been as a result of reducing stigma and discrimination, which is very big and is effecting the population."
World AIDS Day is a UNAIDS initiative. Emphasis is put on prevention and diagnosis of the disease with the goal to ensure that 90% of people living with HIV or AIDS are diagnosed, on antiretroviral treatment, and for them to have a fully suppressed viral load by 2020.
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