Last Updated on December 2, 2024, 5:53 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew, also the Minister of Health St Kitts and Nevis, has addressed the global community observing the World AIDS Day 2024 on December 01, under the theme “Take the Rights Path.”
PM Drew commenced his address highlighting that for his administration protecting human rights is a fundamental commitment and they view health as a basic human right that everyone should have.
Through the Ministry of Health, the government expressed their pride to promote the initiatives that ensures access to care, education and support that empowering several individuals across the nation.
The Prime Minister emphasised that everyone in the Federation has the right to the highest attainable state of physical, mental, and social well-being.
He noted that the Health Ministry aspires to make sure that services such as the access to quality healthcare services including HIV services, are accessible to everyone without any stigma and discrimination regardless of the individuals’ status, background, ethnicity or gender.
PM Drew underscored the significance of the theme and said that it is a call to action for communities and organizations to come on board and collaborate with the Ministry of Health to help curb the spread of HIV.
According to the given estimated numbers, 3.9 million people are living with HIV across the world and 9.3 million people are still not able to access the life saving treatment they require.
He mentioned about the National HIV AIDS Program that guides the response of St Kitts and Nevis to HIV AIDS epidemic keeping their information confidential and providing highest service.
The Minister of Health outlined that the public health team continues to work actively on the sustained implementation of the comprehensive list of interventions aimed at the prevention and control of HIV AIDS.
In addition to this, Ministry of Health has improved the offering of more tolerable anti-retroviral medications that have better side effect profiles.
Ministry of Health is also partnering with the Ministry of Social Development helping to address the social needs of people living with HIV. The government of St Kitts and Nevis also continues to cover the cause of HIV testing and life-saving treatment ensuring healthy lives of the citizens.
Moreover, St Kitts and Nevis has also expanded human resources within the National HIV AIDS Secretariat, making a notable investment in the HIV response.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister urged the people to remain informed and aware and to learn about HIV AIDS and ways to prevent and protect yourself.
“Together, let us work on protecting the rights of persons living with HIV and advance our efforts to end AIDS by 2030.”
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
