Joseph Cunningham, Gleaner Writer
HUNDREDS OF Jamaicans joined very long lines for a free HIV/AIDS test, during the Ministry of Health's annual 'World AIDS Day Exhibition and Concert' held at the Emancipation Park in New Kingston, last Friday.
The free tests were part of several activities planned for the day, and which reflected the theme, 'Let us make a promise to get tested for HIV/AIDS'.
When The Gleaner asked one of the patrons, 'Slimas'* why she decided to get her free test, she responded that she had "had unprotected sex, and I have never really thought about testing if I caught AIDS, so I have taken the opportunity."
Jamaica, which has been an active participant in the observance of World AIDS Day since its inception in 1988, is part of the United Nation Population Fund's (UNFPA) thrust to draw attention to this year's theme through an increased public education campaign. Prime Minister P.J.Patterson, in his presentation, said national data shows that irresponsible sexual practices are exposing many families to the "dangerous and deadly" disease resulting in much anguish and pain. Furthermore, he urged persons "to make a promise to their friends and families to protect themselves from the disease."
BOOSTING AWARENESS
The World AIDS Day concert followed exhibitions by various booths fostering sexual education. There was also an 'anti-AIDS march' by a band from the Ionie Whorms Inner-city Counselling Centre, located in Fletchers Land, Kingston.
Mrs. Whorms, a former 'commercial sex worker', said that since the first march in 1993, she and the band have made the march an annual event to make persons aware of the importance of proper sexual practices, and to 'get tested' when participating in unprotected sex.
Various popular entertainers made the 'get tested' appeal, chief among them being dub poetry group, 'Nomaddz', which chanted "dress it up" to tumultuous applause. A member of the group, Sheldon Shepherd, thanked the Ministry of Health for the day's initiatives, adding that "AIDS is rampant and its spread needs to be stopped".
Since the first diagnosis made in 1980, 27 million people have died from the disease. An estimated 40 million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS.
3.1 million have been infected since the start of this year, while 4.9 million have died.
*Name withheld on request.
