Every week at least nine persons in Belize are diagnosed with HIV.
Since the first case was confirmed in 1986, the number and rate of infections
continue to rise. As of June this year, four thousand one hundred and thirty
people are reported to have HIV and seven hundred and twenty four have died
as a result of aids. The fight against HIV and aids has been a challenge for
all those involved. Today the Ministry of Health and the National Aids Commission
took time out to pay respects to those who have given selflessly to the cause.
But as we hear in this report from Channel 7's Jacqueline Godwin it hasn't
been easy for those on the frontlines.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Remember Sarita? In 2005, she was the Aids patient left to die on the street
from Aids related condition. Left to die because she had nowhere else to go.
But it's not only victims of Aids and HIV that suffer stigma and discrimination,
there have also been personal attacks against the community and health workers
who voluntarily promote awareness and give care and treatment to the sick. Like
thirty five year old Dangriga resident Norine Castillo who for the past four
years has given emotional support for those affected and infected.
Norine Castillo, Community Worker
"But you meet all kinds of things on the street, all kind of stuff
on the streets. People are like, anytime they see you, they say oh that is the
Aids lady because for me, people think that I am HIV positive, they tell you
plain when they see you coming they say oh, look at she coming again, I don't
want to see her."
Today Norine and thirteen other persons were recognized for their significant
contribution to the fight against HIV and Aids.
Margaret Ventura, CEO - Ministry of Health
"It is only through advocacy, through educating the general population,
and encouraging them to guard against HIV/Aids that we will together reduce
the number of infected persons in our beautiful country and ensure that we do
our best to preserve the next generation. If we don't redouble our efforts
then we will be seeing a continuously alarming number of persons affected by
HIV/Aids and sadly we, will see the future leaders of our country falling one
by one. We certainly do not want that. We are all here together committed to
this fight against HIV and Aids."
Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Executive Chairwoman - National Aids
Commission
"I think it is fitting that we should pause to big up and to let everybody 
know who has been there in the fight working for all the needs of people living
with HIV, not only making sure they are on their medication making sure that
they have something eat; involving the communities, involving the church in
linking the services to the people who needed them. The people who are on the
front line actually getting the job done. We have recognized some of them today,
maybe not everybody but we want to do this annually."
Norine Castillo,
"Now its like everybody see me and its like oh miss Norine can I please
get a pamphlet , can I please get a condom or Miss Norine this or Miss Norine
that."
On December first, World Aids Day will be observed. On that day Belizeans are
being encouraged to come out, be tested and know their status. It is the hope
that as more people get involved then we will start to see a reduction in the
number of infections.
But it is not only concerned individuals and health professionals who were
recognized. The business community as well has come onboard. The Belize Chamber
of Commerce and Industry will spearhead a business coalition that will significantly
impact the national response. BCCI's President Emile Mena explains why 
businesses in Belize should pay attention to HIV and Aids.
Emile Mena, President - BCCI
"HIV infections occur mostly in the working age population between
15 and 49 years old. The majority of new cases in Belize are between 15 to 24
and 30 to 39 which is our current and future workforce. We have the highest
incidents per capita in Central America and we are the third highest in the
Caribbean."
Today twenty one of BCCI's members signed on to be a part of the first
Belize Business Coalition against HIV and Aids. For 7NEWS, Jacqueline Godwin.
The National Aids Commission also launched its website today. Click
here to visit it. The theme for this year's World Aids Day is 'Youth,
take the lead.'
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