$205M available to fight AIDS

Now that the HIV/AIDS National Strategic Plan has received TT$205 million in funding from the European Union, World Bank and Government, Prime Minister Patrick Manning has indicated that he would like the programme implemented “in the shortest possible time.” Last Tuesday he met with chairperson of the National AIDS Coordinating Committee Angela Lee Loy and technical director Dr Amery Browne at Whitehall. Also present was Zaida Rajnauth, Permanent Secretary in the office of the PM. anning said Government has committed itself to setting up a diagnostic unit in Tobago for persons who wish to be tested for HIV to receive test results quickly.

“This Government recognises that HIV/AIDS pandemic poses a serious threat to development of the nation and there must be speed in dealing with this pandemic which directly impacts the quality of life for all citizens,” Manning said. Last year, Government committed $500 million covering a five-year period for National HIV/AIDS programmes. The NACC was commissioned this year and will be responsible for policy formulation and programme management. It will also coordinate the expenditure from the EU (TT$50 million), World Bank (TT$125 million) and Government (TT$30 million) for the acquisition of resources and implementation of programmes aimed at eradicating the threat of HIV/AIDS in TT. The HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan will be formally launched March this year. In addition, the Committee will soon be launching its 2004 Carnival Awareness Programme.