Permanent Secretary Wants HIV Prevention Message Intensified

MONTEGO BAY — Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jean Dixon has said that if Jamaica is to make a significant difference in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS, the population must be more educated and encouraged to demonstrate more responsible behaviour towards sexual activities.

Dr. Dixon was addressing hundreds of participants in the National HIV/STI Programme 22nd Annual Retreat and Planning Review Workshop, which is underway at Sunset Jamaica Grande Hotel in Ocho Rios.  The two-day activities, which end on November 30, are being carried out under the theme, ‘Strengthening and sustaining the national response through civil society partnership’.

“It may well be time for radical thinking … during the deliberations (at this conference) I ask that we consider the issue of sustainability from two perspectives: consistent, timely and adequate support; secondly behaviour change to reduce new infections.  This second perspective provides us with win win solutions, better health for our citizens, and a release of valuable human and financial resources for investments in other areas of health,” Dr. Dixon said.

She urged all health professionals and leading workers in the sector, to ponder why the public education message about the risks associated with careless or casual sex, is not motivating more responsible behaviour in citizens.

“I have a particular interest in the answer or the several applicable answers.  After all, we tend to use similar approaches to communicate about several public health issues such as the management of vectors, communicable and non-communicable diseases.  Is the difficulty with the content of the messages, the mode of transmission, the age cohort being predominantly targeted? Or is it a question of there not being sufficient emphasis on personal responsibility.  Are there other reasons?” she questioned.

Dr. Nixon stressed that more effective means must be used to communicate the message about HIV/AIDS to the population.  We have to find a way for people to sit up, take note and change behaviour.  It is important for us to understand what motivates behaviour change, if we hope to make any significant difference,” the Permanent Secretary Dr. Dixon noted.

She said that it is time for a critical review of the approaches that have been used, to intensify those interventions that work and rethink approaches for areas in which reasonable targets continued to be elusive.

However, she noted that Jamaica has made major strides in the fight against HIV and AIDS, with significant resources invested in several initiatives related to the disease.

“I ask that you consider these things and conclude with me that we have an awesome responsibility to dispassionately examine the empirical evidence that will be presented over the next few days and determine what, if any, changes need to be made.  While we celebrate the successes of the programme interventions and celebrate we must, we are duty bound to critically review the approaches that have not produced optimum results,” Dr. Dixon warned.

She expressed the hope that through continued consultation, robust and frank discussions and decisive action, Jamaica and the Caribbean can further achieve international and national targets with respect to HIV and AIDS.

By Glenis Rose, JIS Reporter