The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV (UNAIDS) has reiterated that leadership is essential for an effective response to HIV.

In messages to mark World AIDS Day today, Executive Director Dr Peter Piot and Guyana’s Country Coordinator Dr Ruben del Prado both emphasized this.

Del Prado called on all Guyanese to pay heed to the theme, ‘Stop AIDS keep the promise – Leadership’.

Del Prado said persons living with and affected by HIV and AIDS should take up the leadership role in the fight against the disease. He said person living with the disease are increasingly creating changes through advocacy. “The time is over when persons who are disadvantaged think they don’t have power