The National AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC) of Trinidad & Tobago, in it’s commitment to fulfilling the National Strategic Plan 2002-2008 (NSP) mandate has closed 2005 on a high note on World AIDS Day December 01 2005. The NACC hosted an interfaith Service at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet Tobago on this day as part of this drive to focus on Tobago. This was a collaborative effort among the NACC, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), the membership of Tobago NGOs of the Trinidad and Tobago HIV/AIDS Alliance (TTHAA) and the Inter-Religious Organization of Trinidad and Tobago (IRO).
 Cannon Gideon delivers his inspirational talk at The Inter-Faith Service in Tobago. |
Two leading African HIV and AIDS activists – Cannon Gideon Byamugisha and Rev. MacDonald Sylvester Khama Sembereka, both of whom are HIV positive, addressed the attendees, giving personal accounts of their own experiences. Cannon Byamugisha declared his HIV positive status in 1992 and has since dedicated his life to breaking the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS. Ranked among the top 50 African leaders – who have contributed most to the development and well-being of people in Africa by the International Media, Cannon Byamugisha has attained many accolades.
Reverend Sembereka is a Malawi priest who is currently the Programme Manager for the Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS. According to his own testimony at the interfaith service, “I got tested after having lost two brothers and one sister to HIV in 2002, and confirmed my worst fears. But even before testing I became an ardent and keen follower of issues related to HIV.”
 The NWRHA and their guests form the Human Red Ribbon of Hope at the Paddock in the Queen's Park Savannah |
Although the focus was on Tobago the NACC supported a number of commemorative activities in Trinidad as well. The North West Regional Health Authority was but one of the many organisations that made a bold statement in their efforts to commemorate World AIDS Day 2005. The group dramatised their message by creating a ‘Human Red Ribbon of Hope’ at the Queen’s Park Savannah Paddock, and hosted a health fair. A number of other organisations held smaller events that included information booths, voluntary counselling and testing, as well as educational drama performances on HIV and AIDS and a wide array of relevant topics.
The multitude of responses to World AIDS Day and during 2005 toward increasing HIV/AIDS awareness, augers well for the fight against this pandemic. This expansion in the response will greatly assist in the implementation of the NSP as the nation continues the fight against HIV and AIDS and to “Keep the Promise” to “Stop AIDS”.
Coming on the heels of such a successful 2005, is the 2006 Carnival Campaign. In 2005 the NACC’s carnival campaign targeted the nation’s youth under the banner: “What’s Your Position”. The campaign sought to actively engage young people to respond to the HIV epidemic by answering this question and in return asking it of others, for 2006 the same initiative will be adopted. This message will be promoted through paraphernalia, soca artistes endorsements in advertisements and at major fetes throughout the country and on the website ‘triniscene.com’, which is very popular with youths. This year several Mas Bands will also carry the WYP message as part of their presentations. After the 2005 WYP Campaign an evaluation was done by Dr. Steele of UWI and indications show that this campaign was very well received.
NACC also assisted other stakeholders in their educational activities bridging partnerships with
For 2006 we intend to embark on a similar calendar of national events, however this year’s events promise to see new collaborations which will yield a bigger and better presence and will reach an even wider cross section of society.
In August 2005, The National AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC), through its Information, Education and Communications (IEC) Working Group held an inclusive two-day workshop that yielded a National HIV Communication Strategy for 2006. At this workshop a consensus was achieved and areas of focus should include - community interventions in Tobago and the East/West Corridor in order to empower individuals, debunk condom myths, conduct a “Know Your HIV Status” Campaign, and seek greater support for the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2004-2008 (NSP). Several initiatives of the strategy are already unfolding and will continue to take place throughout 2006.
The NACC continues to combine efforts and work assiduously in the fight against HIV/AIDS and is committed to stemming the tide of this pandemic. In the upcoming year, 2006 the resolve will be just as unwavering and will attempt to reach more of our population. The following is a snapshot of where we stand at present:
TABLE 1
HIV/AIDS MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY SUMMARY
2003-2005
| Cases | 2003 |
2004 |
2005a |
Prevalencea |
| New HIV positive* | 1718 |
1445 |
1257 |
15657 |
| HIV Non- AIDS** | 1418 |
1266 |
1005 |
9972 |
| AIDS | 321 |
245 |
189 |
5603 |
| DEATHS | 166 |
128 |
82 |
3383 |
a 2005 reports include cases reported up to 30 September.
* Total New HIV Laboratory confirmed cases from TPHL/CAREC
** Includes HIV asymptomatic and symptomatic (Non-AIDS cases).
During 2003 to September 2005, were reported 4420 cases of HIV, 755 cases of AIDS and 376 deaths. In this period under review, 40% of all HIV/AIDS and deaths were reported in 2003.
GRAPH 1
HIV/AIDS MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY SUMMARY (PER ’000)
2003-2005
It was said by Father Clyde Harvey that the attributes that are contributing to gains being made against the epidemic are Humility, Intelligence and Vision (H.I.V.). We can all make a difference if we decide to keep the promise to stop AIDS. Remember, “to win the fight against AIDS we will need 1.3 million soldiers” – Angela Lee Loy Chairman NACC.
