-Ramsammy urges religious leaders as World AIDS Day launched
Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said yesterday that Guyana’s HIV/AIDS progress continues to be hindered by persons living in denial of being at risk and he called on religious leaders to preach condom use.
Still emotional over the fire that wrecked his ministry close to a week ago, Ramsammy struggled to compose himself minutes after approaching the podium to speak at the launch of World AIDS Day yesterday under the theme, ‘Universal Access and Human Rights’.
The event coincided with the launching of the ‘Guyana National HIV Prevention Principles, Standards and Guidelines’ and also the launch of the ‘Put it on’ HIV prevention campaign.
It was the Health Minister’s first official appearance since the incident and he was quick to point out that he now “has no home to go to”. Ramsammy emphasized that the ministry was faced with the question of whether to go ahead with the launch of World AIDS Day, but recalled that he urged the staff to “put it on” in keeping with the theme this year.
“…Neither storm nor fire will prevent us from being by our people’s side and providing the services that we were trained to provide, that we have the ability to provide and that we will provide to the best of our ability and go beyond the call of duty to provide,” Ramsammy said.
The ‘Put it on’ campaign advocates greater condom use and will form part of a national campaign to sensitize communities about the importance of regular condom use.
The theme was conceptualized around a calypso penned by Roger Hinds popularly known as ‘Young Bill Rogers’.
Ramsammy yesterday focused his comments on what he described as the misconception in the society that HIV/AIDS campaigns target specific persons because “they are vulnerable”. He firmly started that every citizen is at risk and therefore vulnerable to contracting the disease.
He said that the message ‘Put it on’ is not directed to a vulnerable population, noting that they are not talking to men who have sex with men and or simply to commercial sex workers, but that they are addressing the entire populace.
“…we are talking to every citizen in our country, every man and woman, boy and girl, which is what the message is for and not for one section of the population so let’s stop this nonsense!” Ramsammy declared.
Condoms protect lives, Ramsammy said, stating that this particular message is especially for religious leaders. He said that condom use is not “an unreligious thing”. Ramsammy said too that he is optimistic religious leaders will soon be saying to their congregations, “Put it on”.
Further, he noted that persons who continue to shun getting tested contribute to weaknesses in the system. He said also that persons who fail to follow the campaigns and miss the messages about HIV/AIDS and its impact are also part of the weakest links in the fight.
Prior to yesterday’s launch, Ramsammy had hailed the successes of the local Prevention-of-mother-to-child (PMTCT) programme.
He had disclosed that initially between 5-7 percent of pregnant mothers at clinics across the country were HIV positive, but that the number is currently at 1.1 percent as of December 2008.
He had said then that 30 to 40 out of every 100 pregnant mothers would have given birth to HIV positive babies a few years ago and today the number is down to between 2 and 4 mothers.
Ramsammy stated that when government had announced universal treatment for persons living with HIV in 2002 persons were openly skeptical, however more than 70 percent of people placed on treatment in April that year are still living productive lives today.
Dr Shanti Singh, Head of the National AIDS Pro-gramme Secretariat (NAPS) also spoke at the launch. She said that much focus is being placed on the younger population given that the early adolescent years between 10-14 years is a time when enduring patterns of healthy behaviour can be established. She added that this is easier than changing risky behaviour already entrenched.
Pointing to statistics she said that in Guyana almost 3 percent of HIV notified cases for 2008 have been persons between the ages 15-19 years while the vast majority (82 percent) is between 20-49 years.
Singh said that it is unclear what proportion of the 82 percent had been infected at an earlier age.
She said that reducing infection among young people is a challenge, but emphasized that it should be faced head-on, adding that there is concrete evidence in every country where HIV transmission has been reduced of there also being an impressive reduction of rates among the youth.
UNAIDS Country Director, Dr Ruben del Prado briefly commented that Guyana is making good progress in the areas of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. But he pointed to the PMTCT programme saying that it is on track, adding that deaths due to AIDS are down, dramatically.
Dr del Prado noted that the 2009-2010 theme challenges discriminatory laws, policies and practices that stand in the way of access for all to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
He said that obstacles to progress must be overcome to achieve the goal of universal access.
“In Guyana, except for the outdated and archaic colonial laws that criminalise same sex sensuality and sex work, everything is in place to achieve this universal access,” he said.
Keep up the good work, Minister
How about you do some work Faria instead of being cheerleader to the government?
The solution to HIV Aids = Jesus Christ. Change in nature manifests in new thoughts, attitudes, habits and actions. In other words, places I used to go, I go no more; things I used to do, I do them no more. So, with being a new creature in God, one would more likely have the spiritual strength to overcome evil and negative propensities, including resisting temptation to engage in pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex, and all forms of sexual promiscuity;intravenous needles sharing,and so on.The temptations of evils are too strong for anyone to overcome by their own natural strength.
This may not be a politically correct solution, but it is the BEST IF NOT THE ONLY SOLUTION.
While condoms may help, it’s not the ultimate solution. Come on, let’s be frank. Condoms are used to prevent pregnancy and to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. They are effective so long as the condom does its job properly, but condoms sometimes fail. Here are some reasons why condoms can not be trusted:
Condoms Breaking During Sex
Condoms can sometimes break during intercourse, especially during vigorous sexual activity. Sometimes this may be due to a weakness in the condom. Penis piercings can sometimes cause condoms to split, as can sharp fingernails or teeth.
Defective Condoms (improperly Manufactured) or Damaged after Manufacture
Not all condoms are manufactured well. Only use condoms that display the kite mark standard. This proves that the manufacturer tests their products to a high standard. Tests include water volume and air burst tests, but not a friction test.
Using Inappropriate Lubricant
Using inappropriate lubricants. Only water-based lubricants, such as glycerin or lubricating jellies can work effectively. Oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, cold cream, hand lotion, or baby oil can weaken the condom.
Expired Condom
Be aware that all condoms packets have expiration dates on them. After that date, the condom will not provide the protection you need to avoid pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
If you do not protect yourself each time you have sex then you risk an unplanned pregnancy or getting – or passing on – a sexually transmitted disease.
So, condoms are not the solution.
ABSTINENCE FROM SEXUAL SINS IS THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION.
Nawwrrrman i hope you have your pom poms handy!
I think that preachers should emphasize that sex as an activity should be confined to married couples and solely with their married partners. Sex outside of this institution is fornication or an act of adultery at all other times. Condoms give a sense of security that is false and when defective can lead to unwanted pregnancies and sexual diseases including the deadly virus H.I.V. To advocate condom use is to give approbation to sexual activity. I can also see the hypocrisy of catholic priests who take vows of chastity advising condom use. “He who nuh playuh duh game nuh makuh duh rules”
“I can also see the hypocrisy of catholic priests who take vows of chastity advising condom use.” Are you sure you didn’t leave out “not”, i.e.”not advising condom use”?
Who decided that sex should be tied to marriage? The human was a sexual animal long before marriage entered the scene. We seem to forget that but find it easy to restrict the natural desires of the human being. What should be preached is responsible sexual activity/behaviour. An interest and concern for a healthy society should be nurtured. We expect that adults refrain from sexual acitivity with minors (under 16 years) in the same way care and precaution should be taken among adults. Personal and society’s health should be a prevailing motivation for our socio-sexual behaviour. Restrictions only give rise to the “Big Bird Cage,” caged heat as it were.
Bora; but advocating the use of condoms actually brings the awareness of HIV/AIDS to the user who will always be scared that the condom might break and thus will eventually break his mind(urge)to have extra-martial sex.Catholic priests cannot preach safe sex when they are already preaching celibacy and the other denominations are preaching sex out of marriage is a sin.Unmarried sexual activites has been around before Noah built his ark,so i think a “PUT IT ON” prevention campaign will help in making the youths more aware of the HIV/AIDS virus.
A condom should be used in every conceivable situation.
pork the canadian needs those teachings,
and dont forget the priest /young boys.
Condom alone does not prevent hiv/aids, and many of the test are faulty and not accurate, but then again it is good to get the church involved in carrying out the message.
The rate at which this disease is cosuming the Caribbean an entire generation could be lost.The church should take a 21st century approach to this global epidemic.
borapork we are living in a real world,get real.preach
JESUS DIDN,T CALL US TO PREACH CONDOM.HE CALLED US TO PREACH NO SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE ONLY IF ADULTRY IS COMITTED.
what nonsense you saying yashua had a wife and kids he never preached that garbage you talking.
mervin. Which Jesus are you talking about. And on your last point. Should one partner remain in an abusive marriage, even if the abuser is ” faithful.” It’s time that this hogwash preached by some ignorant preachers, be scrutinized and exposed for the hoax it is. It’s a pity that in these enlightened days, some people still view the Bible, as if were the gospel truth.
Mervin this is what is happening in the church.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32125909/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts
In other words Mr. Minister preach promiscuity?? Absolutely not. The role of the church of Jesus Christ, that He shed His blood to establish preaches/teaches abstinence until marriage. That is the standard.
DO THESE MINSTER THINK BEFORE THEY SPEAK RAMMSAMMY SOUND SO FOOLISH, THE CHURCH WOULD NEVER PREACH CONDOM , BECAUSE ITS AGAINST THE CHURCH PRINCIPAL LAW FOR PERSON TO BE HAVING SEX OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE.
I AM FED UP OF THE PPP THEY CAN’T GET BACK MY VOTE AGAIN.
TIME FOR A CHANGE GUYANESE
You cannot compare God’s government which pertains to spiritual things to a government of human beings pertains to carnal things.Guyana is a cuontry of many religions and the minister is calling on religious leaders to preach condom use,he never specified any religion,denomination or even mention pastor ,pandit,mullah or priest so if your religion says no sex before marriage just don’t do it or be a faithful husband so you will not contract the virus and the minister would have at least convince one person.”PUT IT ON”
I do not think the churches should preach condom usage. the church should preach absstinence, for the bible says that sex outside of marriage is not right. when you preach condom use, you are saying to the persons out there, it ok to run aroundm just remember to use a condom.
It is imperative for Ministers everywhere to advocate a healthy lifestyle.
They have a mandate to preach the word of God which says explicitly, “SEX outside of marriage is non-negotiable. Period!”
Outside of marriage, therefore, the Biblical CONDOM against STIs and unwanted pregnancies is ABSTINENCE. God has not left us without a means of self-protection.
However, as a leader of a country of citizens of all persuasions (even of those who forthrightly declare their atheistic beliefs), the Minister is obliged by law to advise the next best option. In this, he has and continues to do well.
As it is written, “Jesus said to them, ‘Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.’”
All leaders of civil society therefore are under obligation to advise the use of the condom, if even just to protect the willfully stubborn. And all leaders of Christianity, at least, are under obligation to advise abstinence.
let’s all stop this nonsense about sex out of marriage, how many of us got married then have sex, stop this hypocrisy.
Bro. Mark, lots of other bits and pieces are in those books of Moses (actually written by other people) that are not so high-sounding. In fact, much of it is horrifying, like stoning a man to death for working on the sabbath, for disobeying his parents, for fornication, genocide and pillaging of ‘unbeliever’, etc. – you know exactly what I mean. By what criterion do you decide which bits and pieces are to be applied today and which to be ignored? Is that criterion based on the other books or is it independent of them and based on our own evolved moral judgment which is of a more ancient vintage than any piece of human-produced literature?
regardless of what moral issues people may have about sex out side of marriage or before marriage, people are still going to do other wise, so it helps to be educated about “AID”/HIV and other sexually transmitted disease because it is very real so prevention is better than cure.