WITH AN estimated 10,000 to 20,000 children under 18 years old being orphaned by AIDS, the Government is today expected to launch a national plan of action for orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS.
The launch will take place at the Hilton Kingston Hotel and is part of activities to mark World AIDS Week, which runs from November 23 to December 1, World AIDS Day.
Being held under the theme, 'Live and Let Live', the week will focus on reducing stigma and discrimination against persons living with and affected by HIV and AIDS and to re-affirm their right to lead normal lives.
Today will also see the launch of the Jamaica AIDS Support's (JAS) anti-stigma and discrimination poster and calendar.
At yesterday's launch of activities at the Knutsford Court Hotel In New Kingston, Dr. Yitades Gebre, senior medical officer, National HIV/AIDS programme, described stigma and discrimination as 'major obstacles', which prevent vulnerable groups from accessing prevention and care programmes and services.
Jamaica needs to do more in HIV/AIDS prevention and care, he said.
"We have to address the most sensitive issues in society; sex and sexuality, sex work, sexual violence, stigma and discrimination, gender imbalance, and inequality. It is clear that 'nothing spreads HIV faster than ignorance, intolerance and stigma'. The fear of stigma leads to silence. Silence means death. We need to change our attitude and behaviour and accept a new culture of doing things," he said.
Figures show that from January to June 2003, 516 new cases of AIDS and 415 new HIV infections were reported, 42 per cent of which are women.
More than 8,000 pregnant women were tested for HIV in the period and an estimated 700 HIV-positive pregnant women will deliver 100 to 175 HIV-positive babies at the end of December 2003, he said. Children under age 10 accounted for seven per cent of the total reported AIDS cases.
St. James and Kingston and St. Andrew recorded 54 per cent of all AIDS reported cases for this year. Reported cases also went up by between 15 and 24 per cent in Hanover, St. Ann and Trelawny. There were 346 AIDS deaths between January and June.
Other activities include a three-hour pledge-a-thon to benefit Jamaica AIDS Support (Montego Bay chapter) on Wednesday, a UWI/CHARES exhibition and the UWI Students' Union Panel discussion on November 27, 2003 and a poster display by the Jamaica Red Cross and the Ward Theatre in downtown Kingston.
On Saturday, there will be a Walkathon to raise funds for The Good Shepherd Foundation Hospice and the St. James Parish AIDS Action Committee, and on World AIDS Day (December 1) there will be all-day displays and demonstrations in Sam Sharpe Square, as well as, Voluntary Counselling and Confidential HIV Testing. The day will end with a Commemorative Candle Lighting Ceremony starting at 5:00 p.m.
Other activities include a World AIDS Day exhibition at Emancipation Park and workplace policy and employee sensitisation workshops by the Jamaica Employers Federation, Ministry of Labour and Northern Caribbean University in Manchester.
