Devon Dick
EARLIER THIS month, CAPNET, the Caribbean Publishers consortium, under the leadership of Ian Randle, the Caribbean's leading publisher, held a conference, which focussed on AIDS at Half Moon Hotel, Montego Bay.
This was a timely intervention because the figures show that the world is losing the fight against AIDS. AIDS is on the increase on all continents. There are now 40 million persons living with the incurable disease. AIDS infections reached an all-time high during 2004. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan claimed that nearly five million people contracted the HIV virus and three million died of full-blown AIDS. And equally frightening is that more than half of the carriers of this deadly disease are female.
In Jamaica the scene is discouraging. Since the first case of AIDS was reported in 1982, the number of AIDS cases has risen sharply. In 1997 there were 609 cases while in 2002 there were 989, and now the 1000 barrier has long been broken. There are approximately 25,000 persons in Jamaica living with HIV/AIDS. Though technically, AIDS does not kill (but rather, the breakdown of the immune system makes one susceptible to any number of normal diseases), it is common to attribute a number of deaths to AIDS. There is a lot of secrecy about AIDS and it is good that the publishers are keeping the discussion alive.
In addition, it was good to see that the publishers were tackling a social issue. Some will say that is not the business of publishers. They must only look for good books and watch the bottom line. However, good books and bottom line are related to AIDS and will affect the publishing industry. In any case, one cannot be neutral when there is an epidemic or pandemic as so many have called it. To watch as an observer would be insensitive and destructive. One must take sides by tackling AIDS.
Perhaps, Randle and his group were inspired by the Zimbabwe International Book Fair which looked at the issue of AIDS last August. It is said of Zimbabwe, that for every 10 persons that one meets, it is likely that four of them are infected with the HIV virus. Whatever the motivation for CAPNET's focus, it was good for the producers of books in the Caribbean to join the fight.
But it is an uphill task which is not for the faint-hearted. Other media outlets are not as supportive. The movie industry is dominated by films that promote a lifestyle that will allow the number of persons with HIV to increase. It is amazing that Hollywood would never produce a film that glorifies the drug usage, manufacturing and trafficking. But not so with promiscuous sexual behaviour. In addition, still too many songs encourage a contrary sexual lifestyle. The publishers need to get producers of music and film to join the fight. All must tackle the lifestyle that encourages and facilitates the spread of AIDS.
What else must be done? One is not sure. Kofi Annan suggests that empowering girls and women will help. But a frightening reality is that countries with high literacy rates show growth in the number of persons with the virus. And a couple years ago, a Sunday Gleaner front page item revealed that the sexual practices on the UWI campus were unsafe. It shows that increased education and passes in CXCs do not translate into better attitudes, values and practices.
Recently, Oliver Clarke, chairman of The Gleaner, called on parliamentarians to have lunch with persons with AIDS. Such symbolic gestures are important but what more. The Chief Medical Officer suggests issuing condoms in prisons. In 1998, the then president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, advocated a red-light district to combat the scourge. The Ministry of Health has been encouraging abstinence at an early age, use of condoms and faithfulness in relationships.
In addition, sex offenders must be dealt with, including those having sex with under-age girls. Marriage must be encouraged along with fidelity in wedlock.
One of the suggestions made in my book "Rebellion to Riot" was that "cable television ought to reflect sexuality in a way that is consistent with the ethos and laws of the land and which promotes healthy lifestyles."
These are just some of the suggestions. More and more Jamaicans and institutions need to tackle the AIDS problem. It's everybody's business.
Rev Devon Dick is pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot: the Church in Nation Building'.
