Dear Editor,

Because I am a health care worker, I have developed a propensity for extracting any article in the newspaper that pertains to HIV/AIDS. Hence, last week for some esoteric reason, I was going through an assortment of articles which I have accumulated so far, and stumbled upon one captioned “One million in Caribbean will die from HIV/AIDS by 2009,” wherein the emphasis hinged primarily upon students and the astute strategies that have been contrived for them to delay their sexual debut until adulthood or when they are ready for matrimonial commitments.

Hence, in recognition of the fact that HIV/AIDS is ubiquitous and no one is exonerated regardless of age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, culture etc. it is my considered opinion that the time is opportune for calls to make sex education compulsory in schools throughout Guyana.

Like citizens of the United Kingdom, I think that our clamour should transcend the boundaries of basic ‘biology.’ The campaign should ask schools to enter into the emotional and personal consequences of sexual relationships, including discussion of HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, adult relationships and issues of trust and self-esteem.

Inversely, the myths and misconceptions that are still being propagated by innumerable adults are appalling and portend a ghastly future. Almost three decades into this pandemic and with the inundation of information daily, many adults still continue to perpetuate dogmatic ignorance.

Some people’s perception is that HIV/AIDS affects a particular ethnic group. When I tried to foment a discussion, one guy said that I am too old for that stuff, talk to the young people. Another said that it seems as though I am immune to the virus. Some people still believe that their monogamy will exempt them from infection. In addition, there are even those who propound theories that are worthy of a lunatic fringe.

For one million people in the Caribbean to die by 2009, it must certainly mean there are those who have been infected for some time now, those who are already on anti-retroviral drugs and those who have already progressed to the AIDS stage etc. And, just to be euphemistic, at least a few of these persons have to have multiple partners. So, who knows, the figure could actually inflate.

Ultimately, for us to successfully combat this virus there needs to be a concerted effort on the part of everyone. We can no longer operate in a vacuum and promulgate that AIDS is somebody else’s business.

Everyone must realize the debilitating effects that this disease can have and the role that he or she has to play.

Yours faithfully,

Raul Khan