– can impede fight against HIV
Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy unequivocally expressed his disagreement with the Pope’s view on condom use at a press conference held yesterday, as he discussed the Pope’s visit to Africa.
Ramsammy told members of the media that he believes the Pope’s visit to Africa is a very significant one that has been long overdue. According to him, “the raising of topical issues such as climate change, the global financial crisis and the medical ailments among other areas which affect the developing countries of this continent by the Pope, who is a remarkable influential global figure, is of integral importance for Africa.”
However, he said, “the Pope is wrong when it comes to HIV and the use of condoms.” He added, “I think the Pope has contributed negatively to the fight against HIV…”
Ramsammy said HIV helps to contribute to the poverty in Africa and therefore the statement by such an influential figure reiterating that condoms do not work, “does not in any positive way help in the global fight against the epidemic.”
The minister insisted that the use of condoms have helped in the reduction of HIV via the education process and this has been backed by scientific experiments. “I am not just saying that condoms alone play the part in HIV reduction, but rather it has to be done through a comprehensive strategy; one that caters for educating the public about the epidemic, how help can be sought and the proper use of the contraceptive among other areas.
“But I must reiterate that condoms work, and as such, their availability should not be compromised.”
According to the minister, “since condoms play such a very significant and positive role in HIV reduction, the Pope’s view… seeks only to impede the work needed to be done on fighting HIV and AIDS. I think the Pope’s view on condom use was ill-advised, inappropriate and out of sync with scientific examinations.”
Meanwhile, with regard to the deaths of the two Sisters Village children, when asked whether a combination of senna pod and Lomatil is a deadly one, Ramsammy said, “I am not sure there is scientific study that says it is deadly. Such combinations have adverse effects and it is therefore advisable that they not be combined.”
He added also that children should be part of a clinic and advice should be sought from primary health care providers when it comes to administering medicine to them.
“Senna pods and Lomatil are both over the counter drugs, but from advice, it is not good to combine the two for cleaning out the body,” Ramsammy emphasised.
As it relates to the de-worming exercise currently being conducted by the Ministry of Health in Region Six, Ramsammy has made it known that significant achievements have been so far recorded as they have been able to reach out to 95% of the households there.
According to him, because of the cooperation received from NGOs, RDCs, churches and other key groups; 29,299 households were visited by volunteers. He noted that Region Two has been lined up as the next region to be visited, followed by Regions Three, Four and Ten; after which the Hinterland Regions of One, Seven, Eight and Nine will be visited. The entire de-worming exercise according to Ramsammy is expected to be completed by the end of July.
….A minister in the Guyana’s government is claiming that the POPE is wrong and he is right….whats next?? The next thing you might hear is that another minister is saying that Guyana’s economy is the third largest in the world!!
HAHAHAHHAA good one, i agree with you
The only thing that can come close to stopping HIV is praticing abstinence, notice i said come close because we do have married people with this virus and they dont tell their spouse about it.
He said condoms reduce the risk of getting HIV, are we trying to reduce it or STOP IT completely??
Condoms do not work all the time, accidents happen and with a virus like this, i think its better to be safe than sorry.
If Mr. Ramsammy was just bloviating, I’d agree with you, SandHurst First, but in this instance he has a point. The Pope is in fact wrong. And like us, the Minister has a right to speak his piece
….Sandhurst ,, there is an unspoken “reconciliation” between the two of us ,,and i must let u know that i have read most of ur post simply bcos they r in most cases succinct ! and fluently simple for any 3rd grader to fully grasp ,,
that aside ,, i have to intervene and ,, may i state here and now ,, that the following is neither to do with the POPE ,, the Min.of Health ,, or religion ,, but merely abt statistics !
here now is my question ,, “WHAT is the ratio on a planetary count — since the virus that mimicks the “T” cell has entered the human family globally — of victims of HIV/AIDS thru the use
of condoms that did not provide the expected protection and…
is the POPE infallible,,,, infallibilism should not be an armour for the POPE to make such statements ,,and expect it to be revered as is seen here by ,,,,,, and many more who thinks of the POPE as the manifest of the holy spirit ,, POPES ,, from day 1 is the root cause of “global conflict” ,,,,, i am waiting to see when/if Pres. OBAMA will visit the POPE and kneel b4 him as he “kiss the ring” ! or will he break what is seen as traditional !?….the POPE himself would be the first to tell ALL ! that it is human to err !
the use of a condom during sex is a complex one that needs more than just the “use a condom” bit ,, it requires EDUCATION of an intimate detailed script to make the use of condoms more accepted ,,
think abt how many times we each of us have had sex ,, without the condom ,, even tho ,, we had the condom out of the foil pack
and ready to go ,, but did not !…..
stay safe and healthy “bro”… cos nothing else compares ! and to have a handle on any of the former,,,
E D U C A T I O N ,, is the mitigating factor in the dynamics of the equation !…………
If you think the Minister is wrong and the Pope is right then I suggest you should do what the Pope says and DON’T use em…
I’ve watched a few documentaries on HIV/AIDS in Africa and was devastated by what the disease has done to people over there; countless adults, children & infants suffer as they await death. Some Africans have even reverted to committing unspeakable acts with infants for they superstitiously believe that this may cure them.
Guyana has quite few people who are infected with HIV/AIDS and other STDs; the same goes for many of the other Caribbean countries. Lots of money and time was spent to educate people and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs in this region.
This Minister is 100% right to publicly disagree with the Pope on this issue because he is an influential figure who is sending the wrong message. The last thing we need is more HIV/AIDS and STDs cases in Guyana because a religious figure said condoms don’t work.
SandHurst First, this time I put you last, coause yuh
dead wrang!
De Ministah is right.
What de Pope know about condoms?
Does he know how to use them?
He talking without real knowledge, so he got to be wrong!
But as is usual with us Guyanese, we like to raise
Red Herrings to deflect the issue. So what is this detour
to Guyana’s economy? It got nothing to do with the Pope,
nor with the condom issue. You is a true true Guyanese…
just can’t stay focussed on the point at issue.
I just don’t like these religious people ignoring the
realities of life and making these clearly unrealistic
comments on life. Condom use will help restrain the
spread not eliminate the problem, while research
continues to work on the cure. Over 22 million in the
African continent is suffering and now comes this from
the Pope that condom use “does not in any positive way help in the global fight against the epidemic.”
What popycock!
I agree with the Minister when he says :” I think the Pope’s view on condom use was ill-advised, inappropriate and out of sync with scientific examinations.”
SandHurst, look at the Minister’s position on the issue… The Pope is not God and he can and is wrong on several issues and occassions. Condoms will help stem the Aids in that troubled continent and the rest of the world. Your other crony spokey like a true conservative fanatic.. abstanence do not work and will not be the solution to this problem… Go on moderator censor my blog down.
SandHurst First
if u follow the Pope on this 1 u will end up DEAD wrong bro.
Stay truthful to your partner and have a check-up every three months.
SHF…Speak some sense please,, for you to say be truthful to your partner and have regular check ups with the doctor will reduce the risk is down right rubbish…so in otherwords you are saying it is ok to have 10 different relationships and admit the truth to your partner and that is better than using condoms…It shows how desperate you are to critisize the minister.
Soldier put as sock in it…
well said Rodrick…
Ramsammy. Leave the Pope out of this. He has credibility with his millions of followers, YOU AND YOUR PPP, HAVE NONE.Don’t get me started. LOOK WHO’S TALKING.
The Pope has credibility?…..you must be joking,these very people who turned a blind eye to child molestation within their church …..look don’t even get me started.
Diamond Dog…it is your self belief, so because the pope has credibility he cannot make mistakes??? He made a big mistake in his statement to millions…
The Pope is wrong, how can you tell people in a country that is devastated by aids, where children are losing parents, old granparents have to raise babies,men are raping babies because they think that they will be cures from the aids virus. How can you tell them not to use condoms because it doesn’t work? Does God want children to suffer?
Ramsammy has more pressing matters to concern himself about other than taking on the Pope – (Lomotil should be a prescription drug and he should be talking about health concerns/issues in Guyana). It is a common fact – condoms do not always work – you have to account for breakages. The Pope believes in abstainance and we all know his stance on sex as it were. Our young people here(USA)think that because Magic Johnson is still alive, AIDS/HIV is no longer death sentence and that is true – they are on the brink of finding a cure. Education is important but folks have a responsiblity to take care of themselves.
What are the statistics for AIDS/HIV in Guyana?
NeNe…you out of touch!
It is HIGH.
Please try to read the daily newspapers and the activities
of the NGO’s as they try to educate and help the people to
limit the spread.
You really out of touch.
decanadianCarlVeecock, that my friend was a rhetorical question? It does not warrant an answer.
U cannot mix politics with relegion. Dr. Ramsammy is talking from health aspect but not a religious point of view. Dr. Ramsammy should examine the religioius aspect more. Oh but i forgot he might loose his job, and will directly go to hell as well. Its a battle between good and bad. Think people, too late shall be the cry and the time is already late.
Was it politics or religion when the Vatican betrayed the Jewish people to the NAZIS?
One year ago Ramsammy would never have dared to say this: given the evangelicals in the White house who insisted that abstinence was taught along with condom use for Guyana to get HIV funds. But better late than never.
Absolutely right. But I can’t fault Ramsammy on this one. The Pope is totally wrong. Veecock has a point, what does the Pope know about condoms?
This is a fundamental right of the people.If someone wants to wear a condom or nothing.Well the Pope will surely save those people suffering from A.I.D.S.Besides dieases people cannot practise proper family planning.Alot of the believers of no to condom have children that some organisation have to take care of them.
Surely ,if the people use condoms and have a healthy family planning life alot of the organisations,medical supply companies etc.will go out of business.Then who will support the Vatican financially?
I think the kind of advice the Pope offers may work for people who are already practicing abstinence or already in the Catholic faith. For people who are already having sex, condoms may be a good way to keep them safe. I talk a little more about this on my own blog here: http://www.ricoexplainsitall.com/politcs-economy/2009/3/20/condoms-the-pope-and-africa.html
The Pope’s duty is to state the Catholic Church’s position which is a moral and a religious one and he is fulfilling that duty.
Ramsammy could say he disagrees with that position and give all his reasons why which are quite reasonable ones. Yet why he would frame it as a right and wrong issue is beyond me.
Starting with the president some of these people in the Guyana govt really need lessons in effective communication and leadership. What is the use of addressing the issue if not to positively influence the discussion in his capacity as Health Minister. And without being comative, advocate for the use of condoms.
How does he achieves that by needling Catholics or most religious leaders for that matter?
OUR LEADERS AND ELECTED OFFICIAL REALLY, I MEAN REALLY ! FORGET THAT THEY WERE ELECTED TO SERVE. THEY ALL FOR THE MOST PART ACT IN A HIGH HANDED AND ALMIGHTY ATTITUDE,WITH FALSE PRIDE.
GOD HELP THEM IS MY PRAYERS.