Sensitizing healthcare providers in HIV/AIDS treatment and support was the focus of a two-day workshop last weekend.

The training initiative was intended to change attitudes, reduce fears, prejudices, and minimize stigma and discrimination among all health care workers. Ultimately, goal is to promote trust and confidence among persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Director of Health Services Dr. Irad Potter noted that Caribbean Epidemiological Center estimates there are approximately 300 cases of HIV/AIDS among the 20,987 residents in the BVI based on mathematical modeling projections. This estimate is ten times the actual number of HIV/AIDS cases (37) reported to the BVI Health Department in 2002. This means many persons are not disclosing their HIV-positive status.

Dr. Potter attributed the unwillingness of persons to disclose their status to the closely-knit relations among BVI residents and the fear of stigma and discrimination. Any breach of confidentiality could be unfavourable for the affected person.

“The fear of discrimination is so great that although anti-retroviral therapy is available free of charge locally, persons requiring HIV/AIDS treatment prefer to access healthcare services in the USVI, Puerto Rico or even the US mainland,” said the Director.

The HIV/AIDS Sensitization Workshop targeted all groups in the health care sector and should increase awareness of current standards of HIV/AIDS testing, counseling and care. The workshop is expected to also improve knowledge regarding confidentiality, and the risk and impact of discrimination.

 Resource persons for the workshop  were Dr. Gayann Hall, Clinical Director of the STD/HIV/TB Programme of St. Thomas and Nurse Practitioner Deborah Karlin of the USVI Department of Health.