THE EXPANDED RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS

In recent years, HIV/AIDS has climbed to epidemic proportions throughout the Caribbean region, destroying the lives of thousands of men, women and children.With the virus first identified in 1984, the Ministry of Health in Barbados moved swiftly to establish an AIDS management team as well as a National Advisory Committee on AIDS to tackle the spread of the deadly disease. The continuing escalation of new cases of HIV-infected persons and its corresponding threat to the island’s socio-economic welfare, prompted the Government of Barbados to move the National HIV/AIDS Programme into the offices of the Prime Minister. In 2001, the National HIV/AIDS Commission (NHAC) was established to co-ordinate a multi-sectoral approach designed to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The National AIDS Programme has embarked on an extensive programme addressing:  Sexual issues  Gender issues- female led campaign, Male led Campaign  Voluntary Counselling and testing  Behavioural Change Communication  Stigma & Discrimination  Vulnerable groups (including MSM, Bi-sexuals, Youth, Commercial sex Workers, tourism) The eighteen government ministries all have a mandate and target specific groups of persons to raise the level of HIV/AIDS awareness, educate and empower behavioural change.