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KINGSTON, Jamaica – Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton calls for renewed efforts to end discrimination against people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) .
In his speech at the official opening of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Medical Center on Hagley Park Road in St Andrew, Dr. Tufton said that while some groups are more likely to contract the disease, the whole world can become a victim of the virus.
"We must accept this recognition and this reality in our environment, that the HIV risk profile extends beyond any particular group, and reaffirm our commitment to address it," said the Minister. to the audience.
He stated that no HIV-positive patient who sought advice or treatment in public health facilities should be denied service because of the illness, as persons in breach of the directive would suffer the consequences of their acts. .
"HIV patients should not be treated differently than people with diabetes, hypertension or other diseases. If we ever recognize that this discrimination is being applied, we will take the strongest possible action because we are all vulnerable, "said the minister.
The AHF, located at 183 Hagley Park Road, is Jamaica's largest non-governmental service organization providing care and support to people living with and affected by HIV / AIDS.
Since 2013, the entity has been working with the Ministry of Health to provide services to the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) and North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) public HIV treatment sites.
Thanks to a new memorandum of understanding signed at the opening by the Minister and the AHF, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has been added to the partnership.
Steadman Fuller, of Custos of Kingston, also congratulated the group for providing health care to the public; Dr. Kevin Harvey, Regional Director for the Caribbean Caribbean Region; The head of the Latin America and Caribbean Office of the FADG, Dr. Patricia Campos; Dr. Varough Deyde, Regional Director of the Caribbean Program for Centers for Disease Control; UNAID Country Director Manoela Manova; and Rosemary Stone, HIV-related anti-stigma activist.
The Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global non-profit organization that provides leading-edge medicines and advocacy activities to more than one million people in 43 countries.
-JIS
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