MPs urged to Educate Constituents about HIV/AIDS

Member of Parliament for Central St. Mary, Dr. Morais Guy has called on fellow parliamentarians to increase efforts to sensitize their constituents about HIV/AIDS.
“I am appealing that every time we speak to our constituents we touch on the topic and try and sensitize our people to this dreaded disease,” he said, during his contribution to the 2005/06 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives yesterday (June 21).
Dr. Guy noted that as leaders, parliamentarians had a responsibility to assist in the process to, “help break down the barriers and try to reduce the stigma. only then will we be able to adequately deal with the health issues, which are directly impacting the country socially and economically.”
At the end of 2003, there were 430,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean, with 22,000 of that number being Jamaicans. Of the total number of Jamaicans, 10,000 were women. It is estimated that 35,000 AIDS-related deaths occurred in the region between January to December 2003, with 900 of these occurring in Jamaica.
Meanwhile, the Central St. Mary MP expressed pleasure at the improvements at the Port Maria Hospital and voiced his anticipation of the ground breaking for the construction of the new Highgate Health Centre, and the completion of a dental clinic in the area.