GuySuCo observes World AIDS Day with exhibition

Dec 02, 2008 News

Balloons with special World AIDS Day Messages are released into the air.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Ogle head office, yesterday staged an exhibition in its bid to promote safe sexual behaviour aimed at helping to reduce the scourge of the dreaded HIV/AIDS disease.

According to Health and Safety Officer Earl Morris, GuySuCo chose to observe the day with an exhibition in order to furnish its employees with information which could serve to save their lives.

“Our employees make up the general population that could be infected or affected by HIV, so we thought it would be a useful opportunity to raise awareness through this exhibition.”

The exhibition, which was held under the theme ‘Promoting responsible behaviour,’ displayed a number of posters and other articles which emphasised the importance of the proper use of condoms and nutritional tips for infected persons.

It also featured a special segment which highlighted safe alternative means to regular sexual intercourse.
GuySuCo has been taking a leading role in the fight against HIV, and according to Morris, the company, since 2003, had been able to develop its own workplace policy.

“That policy is there, and with it we were able to conduct a Behavioural Surveillance Survey to get a feel of what is happening on the ground with regards to how knowledgeable our people are (about) the virus and to give them an idea of what they will be involved in…”

Chief Executive Officer Nick Jackson learns a bit about safe alternative methods

The survey, Morris said, revealed that some employees had an attitude to discriminate as well as to the safe use of condoms and negotiation skills.

As such, GuySuCo was able to formulate a workplace programme which was created specifically to address such problems, Morris disclosed.

The programme also addresses the use of alcohol, since it is believed that irresponsible use of alcohol could lead to risky behaviour.

And it was against this background, the Health and Safety Officer pointed out, that the exhibition was prepared.

The exhibition, which was preceded by brief remarks from GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer Nick Jackson, and its Chief Medical Officer Dr Kissoon, as well as Ministry of Health’s Mr Patrick Mentore, had as its highlight the releasing of balloons into the air with special messages about HIV/AIDS.

Similar activities were also reportedly carried out at other sugar estates yesterday. There was also a candlelight parade at the Skeldon Estate, and special talks at Blairmont and the West Demerara Estates.