Staff members representing the Member States of Antigua/Barbuda, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines placed nine red roses into a single jar to represent the joint effort at preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and bringing an end to the prejudice and stigma associated with the disease.  The OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmael then released a batch of red and white balloons in a moving salute to the efforts at curbing the disease.

In addressing the ceremony, Dr. Ishmael stressed the need to end the continuing discrimination and stigma associated with the disease in the region.  The stigma, she said is leading people from the sub-region to seek HIV/AIDS therapy overseas.  Eighty percent of the people seeking treatment in St. Martin, for example, are from the OECS territories, she noted.   Dr. Ishmael said the stigma also prevents people from getting tested or disclosing their status to their partners, which fuels the spread of the disease.

The Director General commended the efforts of the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Unit (OECS PPS) and the OECS HIV/AIDS Project Unit (OECS HAPU) in scaling up the prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS in the region.  OECS HAPU, is executing Phase One of a Global Fund project for the care, treatment and support of persons affected by HIV/AIDS in OECS Member States, and it has just submitted proposals for Phase Two of a Global Fund project which, if approved, should bring support for the sub-region for another three years. 

Dr. Ishmael however expressed concern with the very slow rate by which several Member States are drawing down on funds allocated to them through this programme. She said much more must be done at the national level to increase the capacity to manage and use the allocated funds effectively and efficiently.OECS HAPU has also started the process of developing an OECS HIV/AIDS Agenda and Action Plan which will help to contextualize the myriad of issues to be considered in the management of HIV/AIDS in the region.