BANGKOK, Thailand:
STIGMA AND discrimination, treatment and the increasing number of women becoming infected with HIV/AIDS are three of the greatest problems facing the Caribbean region in its fight against HIV/AIDS.
"Not more than 10 per cent of persons who need treatment are getting it. That is what poverty does. Due to poverty, we in the region are not able to provide treatment and care to all who need it," Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas. told delegates here at the XV International AIDS Conference. Dr. Douglas was responding to questions at a special forum set up to give delegates the opportunity to pose questions to leaders on their commitment to fight HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Douglas explained that this is why contributions from the Global Fund is so important as it will widen the number of persons treated.
MAJORITY OF PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE HIV-POSITIVE
Responding to a question regarding testing, Dr. Douglas stated that this is widely available and in some countries free of charge. He however explained that despite this, an estimated 90 per cent of those who are positive do not know they are carrying the disease.
"This is because of the length of time it takes to get the results, but more so due to stigma and discrimination," he explained.
The Prime Minister noted that stigma and discrimination are the greatest factors affecting interventions, care and support and there is a significant amount of work needed to reduce the deleterious effects of this twin problem.
"We (Caribbean leaders) believe stigma and discrimination must be tackled at the highest level of Parliament," Dr. Douglas said.
In addition, he drew attention to some of the cultural problems that make women in the Caribbean more vulnerable to the disease than men.
MULTIPLE SEXUAL PARTNERS AND THE MACHO CULTURE
"In many cases women are not able to negotiate properly with their partners as it relates to issues of sex," Dr. Douglas said. He also pointed to the problem of multiple sexual partners and the macho culture which gives men the right to have as many women as possible without the requisite safe sex practices.
Despite this though, he said what made the Caribbean unique and offers some hope in the future is that educationally, women are doing much better than men.
One of the greatest challenges faced by the Caribbean region in its initial response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Dr. Douglas said, was identifying persons at the highest level who would openly admit the disease existed in the region.
"In the Caribbean, tourism as you know is the main foreign exchange earner and so many of our leaders were not willing to admit this as it was felt it would affect tourism," he said.
HOMOPHOBIC CARIBBEAN
He however pointed out that the region has long moved on from that position and in the last decade a great deal has been accomplished.
As would be expected in such a forum, Dr. Douglas was asked what Caribbean leaders were doing to reduce homophobia and hate crimes in the region.
"We have achieved a great deal on this front through different communities, but what is needed is support at the legislative level," the Prime Minister responded vaguely.
