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GDF deals with stereotypical behaviour of some ranks
World AIDS Day observance
– Commodore Best
As Guyana continues its fight against HIV/AIDS and putting an end to stigma and discrimination, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Commodore Gary Best, has revealed that while the GDF is actively involved in a number of preventative HIV/AIDS methods, some officers and ranks within the GDF display stereotypical behaviour.
During the HIV observance ceremony held at the Camp Ayanganna auditorium yesterday on the occasion of World AIDS Day, Commodore Best told the gathering that these ranks and officers are hesitant at times to take the lead as it relates to HIV/AIDS.
However, the Chief of Staff noted that the GDF continues to work with these officers and ranks. Sessions were held with them under the GDF HIV/AIDS prevention programme.
Commodore Best added that the GDF cannot ignore the HIV crisis in the country, but acknowledged that slowly the stigma and discrimination attached to the virus is disappearing as more people live and work with HIV.
Commodore Gary Best
“Slowly in the GDF, we too have learnt to live with and care for those who fall ill to this disease.”
He explained that much is being done in Guyana to ensure that facilities are built or upgraded and provide the relevant technology to tackle the disease.
Currently, the GDF now has 58 trained and certified HIV/AIDS counselors and 72 testers.
Programme Manager of the GDF HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme, Beverly Gomes – Lovell, noted that the observance of the day provides an opportunity for governments and national AIDS programmes to demonstrate the importance of the fight against HIV/AIDS.
She also noted that World AIDS Day is about increasing awareness and fighting prejudice and improving education.
Additionally, Charge d’ Affaires of the United States Embassy, Karen Williams revealed that in Guyana, PEPFAR has allocated over US$100 million for the fight against HIV/AIDS over a six-year period.
Since 2006, the US has also dedicated approximately US$1 million to the GDF HIV programme, which has proven to be very successful.
“The US is committed to continuing our support of such achievements which helps to prevent the spread of HIV in Guyana. However, we know that there are a number of obstacles that threaten the success of HIV prevention, but we cannot succeed in this fight of HIV/AIDS alone,” Ms Karen Williams said.
She added that for the nationwide programme over the next five years, the US would place more emphasis in partnering with Guyana to build its National HIV/AIDS Response through the Ministry of Health.
Recently, President Barrack Obama repealed the HIV entry ban and the international AIDS society can now hold their conference in the US in 2012. The last such conference was held way back in 1990 due to the ban.
Programme Manager for the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr. Shanti Singh, commended the GDF for its work in spreading HIV/AIDS awareness. She noted that the force has much to be thankful for, given that the high quality of work done in HIV has borne fruits.
Dr. Singh explained that the force contributed close to one-third of the testing counselors during the recently concluded National Week of Testing. According to Dr. Singh, while NAPS seeks guidance for the many challenges seen ahead to combat HIV/AIDS, prevention remains the cornerstone of their actions as they work towards universal access, particularly on how to strengthen their efforts to deal with the virus.
However, the major challenge remains to persuade people to change their behaviour. She explained that most of the population sees the soldiers of the GDF as role models and they are therefore poised to influence the young people to maintain a healthy and discipline lifestyle.
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