Five people in the Cayman Islands were newly diagnosed with HIV this year, bringing the total number of people on island with the disease to 74, Health Minister Sabrina Turner has announced.
In a message to mark World Aids Day, on 1 Dec., Turner said her ministry was working with the Cayman AIDS Foundation and the Red Cross “to provide in-depth education and
awareness about HIV and its implications on our society”.
She said Cayman would take time to “pause to acknowledge those who are living in our community with HIV and AIDS, those who are newly infected and coping with their new reality and honour those who have lost their lives to this disease”.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 37.7 million people were
living with HIV in 2020, 1.5 million of which were new infections, she noted, adding that the WHO shows that 680,000 persons lost their lives to HIV/AIDS-related causes in 2020.
While more HIV-positive individuals are able to live longer, fuller lives with the assistance of antiretroviral medications, “there still remains a global challenge to give all impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic equal access to these drugs”, Turner said.
The theme of this year’s World Aids Day is ‘End Inequalities, End AIDS’, which urges government to ensure that people with HIV/AIDS have access to the essential care they need.
Turner said the Health Services Authority and the Public Health Department are offering
free HIV testing.
As part of this year’s local World AIDS Day activities, the Public Health Department and
the Cayman Islands Red Cross joined forces to host a week of free HIV and STI testing from 29 Nov. to 3 Dec. by appointment only. Free counselling is also offered.
Turner said the Public Health Department is giving priority for COVID-19 vaccinations for people in Cayman living with HIV.
Locally, nearly 20% of people with HIV/AIDS contracted the virus while they were aged between 25 and 29.
“I encourage persons of all ages, but especially those under 30, to take a vested interest in their sexual health by practicing safe sex, knowing their HIV status and that of their sexual partners, and getting tested as a part of their regular health checks,” Turner said in her message.
She added, “We owe the persons among us who are grappling with HIV a life free of stigma, and equitable access to the resources they need to live healthy, thriving lives. As we mark World AIDS Day today, please take a moment to remember those whose lives were claimed by HIV and AIDS. Let us continue to work together towards an HIV free world.”
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