HIV/AIDS risk still high, says Brewer

IMMEDIATE past-president of the AIDS Foundation of Barbados, Colin Brewer, wants more done to prevent HIV/AIDS becoming an epidemic here.He made this point while delivering his report at the annual general meeting of the foundation last Wednesday at the Accra Beach Hotel.“We are still at risk of the [HIV] virus reaching epidemic proportions,” Brewer said, adding that if Barbadians were fully aware of the magnitude of the disease “our continuing national response would be more powerful”. Dr Henrick Ellis, chairman of the National HIV/AIDS Commission, in his presentation addressed the issue of the “feminisation of the infection”. Figures showed the ratio of male to female infected was currently 2:1. In the 15-24 age group more females were infected than males. The 50 plus category for men showed a slight increase as well.He stated that Barbados’ treatment programme must be praised since free anti-retroviral drugs are given to those infected and this has resulted in a 50 per cent decrease in the sick rate and the death rate.This treatment model places Barbados in the position to provide leadership for Eastern Caribbean states in developing a similar response. (FM)