Georgetown, GINA, January 28, 2004

Due to the rise of reported cases of HIV/AIDS infection in Mabaruma Region One (Barima/Waini), Regional Chairman Norman Whittaker has sought to establish a HIV/AIDS Committee.
Whittaker who also holds the position of Chairman of the Education Committee of the Regional Democratic Council, said he intends with the support of other organisations, to have other committees formed.
“In the not so distant future, committees will be established in the Moruca and Matarkai areas,” said the Regional Chairman.
The role of the Committee is the work within the communities and schools to make them aware of the dangers and high risk of becoming HIV/AIDS carriers.
Members of the Mabaruma Committee came from the department of Health, including the Regional Health Officer, the Doctor and a nurse from the Mabaruma Public Hospital, the Department of Education, the Regional Administration, religious groups, the business community, youth groups and the Women’s Affairs Bureau.
According to a 1998 survey, more than 82% of young people in Guyana become sexually active by 18. Approximately 12% of youths surveyed had sex by age 10. The survey also showed that that the overwhelming majority of youths believe that the most appropriate age to initiate sexual relationship is 20.
HIV/AIDS is a biological genocide that is universal and the pandemic threatens the very existence of mankind. More than 42 million people are today living with HIV / AIDS, mostly in the developing countries. More than 29 million people have already died because of HIV/AIDS since its upsurge in 1981.
Worldwide more than 16,000 people are newly infected every day, while more than 8,000 die from the disease.