By Anastasha Elliott
Current numbers do not show the true picture of HIV/AIDS infection in Nevis, said Andrea Nisbett, co-ordinator of the HIV/AIDS Programme.
Nevis has 23 persons in their early 20’s infected with the virus.
However, Nisbett said due to the various stages of the virus, those persons were infected in their teens.
In the past two years there has been a 50 percent decrease in detection, said Nisbett. She disclosed that in 2004 about six new cases were detected, and in 2005 there were just three new cases detected.
This could be a result of fewer people coming forward and getting tested, said Nisbett. She urged the continuation of voluntary counselling and testing programmes.
“We need to get more people tested,” Nisbett said. “Then maybe we can tell a little bit more.”
She added that you could never really tell how many people are infected in a given country unless you tested everybody.
Of the 23 infected, Nisbett said only 14 are actively involved in the anti-retro viral therapy treatment programme.
She said the programme is free.
“Government provides funding through several social partners that we have world wide and regionally,” she explained.
Nevertheless, she is happy to report on some positive initiatives on HIV/AIDS.
According to Nisbett the unit is getting assistance from the OECS HIV/AIDS project unit.
The unit is charged with the responsibility of administering the global funds for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, she said.
The local unit she added is going through some intense planning. She disclosed that a representative of the Clinton Foundation would be travelling to the island to assist with the re-organisation and planning of the unit.
She added that she has also been given a “heads up” to hire a qualified staff required for the effective and efficient running of the HIV/AIDS unit.
Nisbett said that a lot of positive things would be coming out in the near future in terms of HIV/AIDS.
