Region 10 launches week of activities for World AIDS Day

The Education Department of Upper Demerara/Berbice (Region Ten) will participate in this
year’s World AIDS Day observances under the global theme ‘Global Solidarity, shared
Responsibility’ with a week of activities events coordinator Ms. Fayeann Tappin-Benn said.
World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 internationally and in Linden, the Ministry of
Education launched the celebrations with a motorcade and light up last Thursday evening
attended by ordinary and prominent citizens of the bauxite-mining community.
Upper Demerara/Berbice, made local history through its Education Department when it became
the first Administrative Region to mark World AIDS Day with a week of activities to help
reduce stigma and discrimination against those who contracted the deadly virus according to Ms
Tappin-Benn who is also the Coordinator for the Ministry’s Health and Family Life Education
(HFLE) and Associate Degree in Education (ADE) programmes.
The week of activities include an essay writing competition for grades five and six pupils in the
Region. Further, a poster competition was organized for grade three students with a virtual art
competition for nursery students.
The Department will also be distributing hampers to persons living with or affected by the
contagious disease. Winners of the various competitions will also be receiving prizes next
Tuesday being World AIDS Day.
There will also be a handing over of Teaching Learning AIDS for Linden Hospital Complex
(LHC) primarily for the children Ward.
Additionally, there will also be a radio programme to help sensitise Guyanese on the virus.
Tappin-Benn said the Region Ten education administrators are pushing to sensitise its 40,000
residents occupying the 17,040 km 2  (6,580 sq mi) hilly sand and clay area on all issues connected
to the health sector.

Considering the impact of the deadly HIV/AIDS on Guyana over the decades the Education
Department wants to maintain awareness, learning and sensitization of this virus now that the
country is also battling COVID-19.
“We don’t want this World AIDS Day to go by quietly, as how many other activities and events
have been going because of COVID. We recognise at the Department of Education that there is a
greater need to bring about awareness because there are several issues and factors that contribute
to HIV/AIDS and with the evident economic impact of COVID, we are aware that it can
contribute to the continued spread of HIVAIDS,” she cautioned.
“As the HFLE Coordinator, it is important that our students in this Region remain sensitised and
informed on several of the issues and HIV/AIDS is an issue that affects all of us indirectly and
directly. Regarding the large number of persons reported by the National AIDS Programme
Secretariat (NAPS) of living with the disease, we want to ensure that there continues to be
awareness and a medium where we can continue to urge everyone to get tested or to condomise,”
she counselled.

Regional Education Officer (REdO), Mr. Akbar Chindu who also spoke at this year’s
observances noted that “HIV/AIDS is always going to be an issue that need serious and
continued focus. I recently served in the similar capacity in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni)
and am aware of several similar related issues facing residents there. Therefore, I am impressed
and satisfied that efforts are being made by education officials, teachers and the public here in
Region Ten to keep the pubic sensitised on this disease. Together we can play our part and like I
always tell persons that getting tested is certainly the best way to know one’s status.”
Author of the book, ‘My HIV Story – Life Stories of Persons Living with HIVAIDS’ Rawle
Nelson spoke of the importance of keeping the issue of HI/AIDS on the front burner. Nelson said
that with the increase cases of COVID it is likely to see a spike in social ills affecting
communities.
He counselled responsible sexual behaviour by attendees.
“We must get to the stage that we see ourselves as not only destroying our life but those also of
our love ones if we become HIV-positive. Yes, life continues but I have always said that I don’t
want to ever get infected to know that life continues, I rather remain negative where I can offer

advice and support to those directly affected as it certainly can’t be an easy road,” Nelson
reasoned.
He said that he firmly would like to see more persons seeking to eradicate stigma and
discrimination, noting that this is one of the impediments that continues to affect the disease.
“No one would want to reveal his/her status if they feel that they would be stigmatized and or
discriminated so I urge you all to let’s do it together, we can offer support to those living and or
affected by the disease, while we ourselves can be more responsible with our lives, thus helping
to avoid being infected,” he urged.
Citing NAPS statistics, he said at the end of last year an estimated 8700 Guyanese were living
with HIV. Of these 94 percent were aware of their status; 73 percent were on sustained
antiretroviral therapy and 75 percent were virally suppressed.
In the Caribbean, Guyana was identified among the countries making significant strides in
achieving the first 90 of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goal, according to NAPS.