The National AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC), re-launched in December 2016 to define priorities, coordinate national responses, and guide the Trinidad and Tobago government on HIV and AIDS policy, recently visited the Shaw Park Complex. Their objective was to gather crucial input from stakeholders in Tobago for the national HIV/AIDS policy. According to Dr. Ayana Sebro, Technical Director of NACC, there’s a strong determination and ambition to eradicate AIDS by 2030.
Dr. Faith B.Yisrael, Tobago’s Secretary of Health, Wellness, and Social Protection, emphasized the importance of deep knowledge and thoughtful consideration in this endeavor. Earlier this year, a “Don’t Fear the Smear” campaign, part of a NACC initiative, aimed to encourage women to participate in a women’s health fair that included voluntary HIV testing.
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibilities for Gender and Child Affairs, Anyana Webster Roy, also addressed the participants. She highlighted that the primary objectives of NACC include envisioning a future without new HIV infections, reducing AIDS-related deaths, and eliminating the pervasive stigma and bias associated with HIV.
Minister Webster Roy further stressed the importance of implementing a policy that actively encourages behavioural change, specifically designed to meet the needs of young people and enhance their sense of comfort and motivation regarding HIV prevention and awareness. The collective efforts aim to solidify Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to ending AIDS.
