Local advocacy groups, Cayman Islands LGBTQ Foundation and Cayman AIDS Foundation, have called on the community to break the stigma around HIV/AIDS and get tested, as millions around the global commemorate World AIDS Day.
The groups, in a statement to the Cayman Compass on the occasion, urged more public education on the virus and the importance of knowing one’s HIV status.
“The ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS remains a critical issue not only for those living with the virus but for all of us. It is essential that we continue to acknowledge the importance of early detection, access to treatment, and, importantly, prevention. We recognize that, as a community, we must continue to break down the stigmas associated with HIV/AIDS, ensuring that people living with HIV are not isolated or marginalized,” the groups, both of which are led by Noel Cayasso-Smith, said in a joint statement.
It said such efforts are vital to ending the spread of HIV and “providing compassionate care and support for those who are affected”.
“As we join the global community in observing the 2024 International HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we reflect on the importance of continued advocacy, education, and support for those living with HIV/AIDS, as well as the shared responsibility we all carry in creating a safer, more inclusive society,” the groups’ said.
The theme for this year’s global campaign, which is marked annual on 1 Dec., is “Take the right path” and the group said it “resonates deeply with us as we stand together to address the disparities in healthcare access, education, and prevention for all members of our society, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.”
Testing is ‘a critical step’
This week the Public Health Department, in collaboration with the Red Cross and Cayman AIDS Foundation, hosted a series of free HIV testing events across the Cayman Islands over the week from 25 to 30 November.
“These events aim to empower the community to take charge of their health by knowing their HIV status,” an HSA statement on the free campaign said.
Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, Medical Officer of Health and HSA Director of Primary Healthcare, emphasised the role of testing “as a critical step in preventing the spread of HIV and ensuring early treatment for those who need it”.
Williams-Rodriguez, through a statement this week, said thanks to advancements in medical care, HIV is now a manageable condition.
“Early testing and treatment allow individuals to live long, healthy lives while reducing the risk of transmission. Knowing your status is a powerful step toward taking control of your health. This year’s theme, The Right Path, reminds us that the journey to prevention, care, and wellness begins with testing,” he said.
He added that through community-wide testing and education, “we are moving closer to ending the stigma associated with HIV and providing the resources and care needed for everyone to thrive.”
The HSA statement added that currently, some 39. 9 million people around the world live with HIV/AIDS.
Approximately 5.4 million people don’t know they are infected with the virus and need to be reached with HIV testing services.
“Approximately 5.4 million people don’t know they are infected with the virus and need to be reached with HIV testing services. This underscores the importance of knowing one’s status. While HIV/AIDS continues to be a major public health issue, having claimed more than 42.3 million lives so far, UNAIDS is reporting that 31.9 million people are accessing life-saving treatment,” it added.
The Cayman Islands LGBTQ Foundation also added that as members of the LGBTQ+ community it understood the heightened risks and challenges associated with HIV/AIDS, however it said “it is essential to emphasize that the fight against this virus is not just a community concern—it is a societal concern”.
“We all contribute to the health and safety of our community when we act responsibly and work together in solidarity. The role each of us plays in promoting education around prevention, the importance of safe practices, regular testing, and access to antiretroviral treatment can not be overstated,” it said.
The Public Health Department offers free HIV screening year-round on the third Tuesday of each month at the Cayman Islands Red Cross from 10am to 2 pm.
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