LIFELONG TREATMENT WILL now be offered to all HIV-positive people in Barbados.
Minister of Health John Boyce made the announcement when he launched the Treat All programme at his office this morning.
The World Health Organisation’s Treat All approach recommends that anti-retroviral treatment be made available for anyone infected with HIV regardless of which stage the virus is at.
The local initiative, which started with pregnant women in March and continued with full implementation at the Ladymeade Reference Unit in October, will be expanded to facilities across the island.
Boyce said the implementation of the approach will build on the gains they have been seeing with the HIV response over the last decade.
He, however, encouraged Barbadians to assist in the efforts by practising safe sex, getting tested for HIV, accessing HIV care services, if necessary, and to stop the discrimination against those with HIV or persons who are considered to be at greater risk for HIV. (YB)
