By Robert Hart, Staff ReporterCABINET HAS approved the Policy for HIV/AIDS Management in Schools and authorised its introduction and implementation in all educational institutions in Jamaica.
Speaking to journalists during yesterday's post-Cabinet press briefing, Senator Burchell Whiteman, Minister of Information, said, "The policy aims to ensure there is a balance struck between protecting those persons who might be at risk because of contact with a person who is HIV-positive and the rights of the individual who may be suffering from HIV/AIDS to be in an educational institution."
He noted that the policy has sought to provide guidelines for treatment as well as, for example, the conduct of physical activities by students afflicted with the condition.
According to Senator Whiteman, the goal of the Policy of HIV/AIDS Management in Schools is to promote measures to provide effective prevention and care in the management of HIV/AIDS in educational institutions.
SIX-PRONGED OBJECTIVE
The programme has six stated objectives: to highlight the existence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Jamaica and particularly within the education system; provide guidelines for institutions on the treatment of students and school personnel infected with HIV/AIDS; promote the use of universal precautions in all potential infectious situations; ensure the provision of systematic and consistent information and educational material on HIV/AIDS to students and school personnel throughout the system; instil non-discriminatory attitudes towards persons with HIV/AIDS; and to help reduce the spread of HIV infection.
Though each educational institution will be responsible for the development and implementation of an 'action plan', the Guidance and Counselling Unit of the Ministry of Health will be responsible for monitoring the overall programme.
