Georgetown, GINA, February 03, 2004

Residents of Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) were last Friday briefed on the HIV/AIDS programme planned for the Region when World Bank, Regional and Health officials visited the area to discuss plans underway to combat the dreaded disease.
Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Beri Ramsarran, explained to residents that interventions are being fashioned in such a way as to include strong community input, since much effort is needed to fight the threat of the virus.
He noted that the overall plan includes training persons in counselling and testing with strong emphasis on the maternal and child health programme.
The doctor reminded villagers that they should try to empathise with those infected with the virus and the programme will attempt to educate individuals so as to decrease the stigma towards the infected as well as the fear of persons to take the test.
World Bank representatives, Lucia Hanmer and Jean Rutabanzibwa-Ngaiza, pointed out that community input was vital to the programme and this was why they were meeting with communities to listen to villagers’ views.
Many residents expressed their views on the issue during the meeting with some noting that more health booths need to be set up for testing in the Region, especially since the area is fast becoming a tourist and business location.
Another female villager contended that mostly teenagers in the Region are infected as it is the age when they are quite curious about sex.
This, she noted is the major reason why the programme is necessary but that residents need to be trained.
The Regional team also included Regional Vice-Chairman, Clarindo Rudolph and Medex Wilton Benn.