NAPS reports higher survival rate for HIV patients

Jul 12, 2009 News

Director of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr. Shanti Singh, has reported that there is currently a one-year survival rate in Guyana for more than 80 per cent of HIV/AIDS infected persons.

At the launching of the Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention Project (GHARP) Phase 11 on Friday, Dr. Singh said that NAPS recognises that 20 years after the first AIDS case emerged, much has been achieved.

She explained that there has been consistent reduction in antenatal problems as well as a reduction in HIV rates among some of the more adverse populations.

“I have no doubt in my mind that these achievements would not have been possible without the vibrant and dynamic partnership that we are blessed with,” she said.

According to Dr. Singh, Guyana has been fortunate in its response to the epidemic, since it is one of the few countries in the region that has benefited from significant financial and technical support.

From as early as the 1980s, it was recognised that HIV/AIDS was a public health issue, affecting not only the health sector, but also one which penetrates and devastates the entire fabric of society.

Over time, Guyana has received the support both financially and technically from the donors and the funders who recognised the value and the urgent need for the prevention and control of the virus.

Additionally, Guyana has been privileged to be one of the focused countries in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programme.

“The partnerships developed with PEPFAR, the World Bank, PAHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF and others have resulted in a comprehensive national programme present today,” Singh noted.

According to the NAPS director, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with NAPS, have done tremendous work since the emergence of the epidemic, as physicians are now better equipped with the knowledge and experience to manage their patients so that they can truly understand the meaning of strategic information, monitoring and evaluation in the context of HIV.

While lauding the work and support received from the partners, Dr. Singh called for more emphasis to be placed on the future in developing more strategic programmes to prevent and control the virus.

She added that the partnership with GHARP will have another major impact on society in reducing stigma and discrimination and preventing and control the virus.

Dr. Singh is also optimistic that the Voluntary Testing and Counsel (VTC) programme will increase as they will continue to train their trainers in order to maintain sustainability of the programme.

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NAPS reports higher survival rate for HIV patients

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