ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Chief medical workplace (CMO), Dr Shawn Charles, Monday mentioned Grenada will probably be integrating HIV care into the routine major well being look after the individuals who have to get examined in addition to obtain remedy and counselling if they’re constructive for the virus.
“One of many causes for integrating HIV providers into major well being care is that we wish to convey the providers nearer to individuals,” Dr. Charles mentioned whereas explaining that beneath the present association, individuals from the northern parish of St Patrick need to journey to the capital for sure providers.
“This isn’t an equitable approach of making certain that entry is for everybody. So, we would like the providers from testing, counselling to remedy now to be built-in as a part of our routine clinics,” mentioned Dr Charles, who believes that such a transfer will cut back the stigma and discriminatory behaviour that individuals confront individuals dwelling with HIV.
Addressing a information convention, he advised reporters that among the many advantages of such a change is a discount in stigma and discrimination.
“Aside from growing entry is that you just cut back stigma and discrimination as effectively, as a substitute of getting everybody go to at least one place and all of that, that’s our place,” the CMO mentioned, with out disclosing the date for the beginning of integrating the service nor the technique that will probably be employed for the profitable transition of this providers into the island’s major healthcare system.
Nonetheless, Kelville Frederick, Senior Data Officer within the Well being Promotion Division of the Well being Ministry, mentioned that the executive course of has began for integrating the service by means of coaching, formulating insurance policies and procedures.
“The following step is stakeholder session to approve the method,” he mentioned, noting that addressing stigma and discrimination will contain extra supplier sensitization, training, and coaching, in addition to shopper sensitization and training to attenuate self-stigma.
Charles mentioned that there are between 20 and 30 new HIV constructive instances in Grenada yearly.
In 2023, the nation had greater than 400 individuals dwelling with HIV.
