SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) —Thirty-one years after St. Maarten joined the rest of the world in observing World AIDS day, the local population is being encouraged to “know your status” by Lenny Priest president of the National Alliance Party. Priest commemorates the day under the banner of solidarity and activism and the need to campaign for universal access to treat and prevent HIV, which he says is still prudent. The National Alliance president and number 12 on the party’s election list Lenny Priest urges the nation not to become complacent in the battle against this deadly disease. This year’s theme for the observance of World AIDS day is Ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic: community by community and Priest notes that part of this is ending the stigma that is still attached to persons living with AIDS/HIV.
“In a community as small as ours we cannot afford to ostracize persons from society over a disease that is already negatively affecting their lives. Every member of our community has a part to play in the advancement of our nation and its important for us all to remember that AIDS/HIV can affect every one of us and that living with this disease is no longer a death sentence. Gone are the days when we were afraid to interact with a member of the community because they got a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS. We are now equipped with the proper information and there have been significant breakthroughs in tackling this disease that we are now at a stage where people are still able to live longer more productive lives despite this disease. According to Priest despite these breakthroughs one of the most crucial steps in eradicating this disease is to stop its spread by taking the necessary precautions.
“The temptation is there to act like AIDS/HIV is a thing of the past and that its not still a killer. There have been many advances made in the fight to eradicate AIDS/HIV and people are now enjoying more longevity even after being diagnosed, however the best method is still prevention and I encourage people to take the necessary steps to avoid further spread of the disease,” Priest stated.
The NA president encourages the local community to know their status and make regular testing part of their life routine as well as practising safe sex. Priest noted that while it is popularly believed that one in four people know their status it still means that there are some persons who doesn’t. Priest cautioned that although a lot has been done in the fight against AIDS/HIV there is still a long way to go and one of the biggest obstacles is people being unaware that they are living with the disease.
“HIV testing is necessary for expanding treatment and to ascertain that everyone living with AIDS are still able to live healthy and productive lives. For this World AIDS Day let’s all make it a point to know our status,” Priest concluded.
Source: Souliga Newsday https://www.soualiganewsday.com/index.php?option=com-k2&view=item&id=28590:priest-says-know-your-status-this-world-aids-day&Itemid=451
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