Health minister calls on region to change mindset about HIV/AIDS

Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson has called for a change in mindset and greater solidarity among peoples of the Caribbean to end stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS.

This is particularly necessary among key populations that are at higher risk of infection, he insists.

"Our culture remains one of the biggest barriers to the type of success we want, in terms of ending stigma and discrimination. Strong cultural and religious beliefs have led to the isolation of some high-risk groups," he stated.

Ferguson, who was speaking earlier this month at a second of a three-day Caribbean Consultation on Justice for All and Human Rights Agenda at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, said these majority sentiments continue to interfere with HIV-reduction and treatment among certain groups across the region.

MUST BE DONE

He noted that it will not be easy to tackle many of the deeply embedded systems that form part of the cultural and religious principles of many persons in the region, but said it must be done in order to ensure justice, human rights and proper treatment for all.

Ferguson further argued that Caribbean leaders have a role to play in ensuring the dignity of all persons and providing equal opportunity for all to strive in society.

"As leaders, we have to put aside our personal beliefs, discomfort and prejudices. We, therefore, have to initiate frank dialogue on stigma and discrimination," he stated, further noting that leaders must not shy away from the many issues confronting them, regardless of how "uncomfortable it may be for some of us".

"HIV and AIDS cannot be about personal interest, it has to be about the greater good," he stated.

The health minister, therefore, said the three-day consultation was timely and important as the region seeks to identify concrete programmes and policies to dismantle structural barriers that deny human rights and impact vulnerability.

He said Caribbean leaders must use the opportunity to identify key elements of the Caribbean road map on the justice for all and human rights agenda, as well as determine the measures to be put in place to reduce HIV-related stigma and the elimination of discrimination.

The Caribbean is the second-most affected region in the world in terms of HIV prevalence, with an estimated 260,000 people living with the disease. Key populations, including men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who use drugs, and transgender people, remain most affected by HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean.