By Fabiana Mcklmon
United Nations (UN) Country Director, Dr. Richard Amenyah, recently lauded Guyana’s strides in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS and ensuring access to essential treatment services during an appearance on NCN’s Guyana Today Show.
With data from UNAIDS indicating one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the region back in 2008, Guyana has since witnessed a significant turnaround in its approach to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
Dr. Amenyah emphasized the country’s commendable efforts in identifying individuals living with HIV/AIDS, citing that approximately 94% to 95% of affected persons in Guyana are aware of their status—a remarkable achievement that surpasses many Caribbean nations.
Dr. Amenyah underscored the importance of this high rate of HIV status awareness, noting that it enables prompt access to treatment and reduces the risk of virus transmission to others.
He revealed that 72% of those aware of their status are actively engaged in treatment and care, highlighting the effectiveness of ongoing initiatives in the country.
However, Dr. Amenyah stressed the continued need for HIV prevention advocacy, particularly among key populations such as young people and individuals with multiple partnerships, including the LGBTQ community.
He emphasized the importance of mobilizing efforts to promote HIV prevention practices and ensure access to quality health services.
Moving forward, the distribution of condoms, provision of accurate information, and the delivery of quality health services will remain integral components of Guyana’s HIV/AIDS response strategy.
Both the United Nations and the Ministry of Health have reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating on awareness-raising initiatives aimed at curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS in Guyana.
As Guyana continues its efforts to address HIV/AIDS, the collaborative partnership between government agencies and international organizations like the UN remains vital in achieving the shared goal of creating a healthier and more resilient society.