BUSINESS LEADERS must be commended for the example set at yesterday's breakfast meeting with persons living with HIV/AIDS. Evidence from other countries shows that the natural course of the epidemic cannot be changed only by injecting huge amounts of money into fighting the disease, but that strong leadership at all levels is key to any reversals in the incidence of HIV/AIDS.
Already since 2002, more than US$39 million (J$2.4-billion) has been pumped into programmes to prevent the spread of HIV and to treat and support those already infected. Despite this, however, the number of new cases reported in 2004 is four per cent higher than 2003. An estimated 22,000 Jamaicans are believed to be living with HIV/AIDS today.
Experts working with persons infected believe stigma and discrimination are among the principal driving forces behind the escalation. In addition, they contend that strong leadership, especially from the business and poltical sector, would lessen the stigma and discrimination. Leaders at every level must move to strengthen the national capacity and mount an effective response to the epidemic. They must commit themselves to be more visible. They cannot wait to become involved.
We are happy therefore that many businesses have agreed to strengthen the response to HIV/AIDS by joining forces with government and non-government organisations. These organisations must be highly commended for their work in helping to fight the stigma. They must be commended too for their work in helping to cut the rate of growth of the disease. They need the financial and moral support of the business community.
Through community programmes, leadership at every level can encourage Jamaicans to be compassionate towards persons living with HIV. The business sector too must urgently develop policies to include workplace treatment programmes for those infected and on the job.
More and more business leaders must end the silence by helping to convince the public that AIDS is a real problem that will have a real negative impact, as deadly as crime.
Yesterday's move by business leaders was a good start to show their colleagues that it was O.K. to interact with people living with HIV/AIDS, but the work has only just began. Through their public relationship with the infected, they should let their workers know that they will be supported.
For two decades, the Ministry of Health, non-governmental and - faith-based organisations have been carrying the burden of trying to get persons living with HIV/AIDS treated as normal as possible, and although they have recorded some success, it is not enough.
It is against this background that it is pleasing to see more persons from the private sector stepping up to the plate, looking into the eyes of the infected and telling them that they are ready to play their part. This, however should just be the start of what we hope will be an avalanche of public support for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
