Good nutrition helps fight HIV/AIDS

The importance of good nutrition in the fight against HIV/AIDS was the motivation for the handbook Healthy Eating for Better Living, for counsellors and other “lay people” assisting people who are HIV positive. The aim is to save lives said Dr Fitzroy Henry, director of the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) at the launch of the Nutrition and HIV/AIDS Project at The Normandie, St Ann’s. Launches have already taken place in eight other Caribbean countries. The first regional launch occurred last November in Guyana.

“A poor nutritional state will further breakdown the immune system which means opportunistic infections will be more prevalent,” he said. Poor nutritional status also hastens the progress of HIV to AIDS. Dr Henry said achieving optimal nutrition while the disease is progressing can prolong and improve the quality of life. Medical cost is reduced because there are fewer hospital stays. “We suspect nutrition also helps with the uptake of drugs,” Dr Henry said. Another handbook is being prepared by CNFI targetting health professionals. Dr Henry said it will deal with more “technical aspects” of nutrition and treatment of HIV/AIDS and includes nutritional intervention at all stages of the disease. He said there is also a section dealing with antiretroviral treatment and nutrition. “Different ARVs require different nutritional support.”

Both handbooks were produced from US$1.2 million from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).  Training workshops with target groups will also be conducted. Dr Henry said the nutrition campaign aims to heighten awareness and benefits of the nutrition response, inform the counsellors who deal with nutrition to have a clear, standardised format; integrate nutrition in the comprehensive care programme, and in the absence of HIV highlight the benefits of good nutrition. Health Minister John Rahael was absent and Permanent Secretary, Hamid O’Brien read his address. “AIDS can take a tremendous toll on the body with wasting and loss of lean body tissue,  however, aggressive nutritional support can help extend life and contribute to quality.”

O’Brien said the challenge for policy makers is not only prevention of new infections. He said the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs)  had to be improved. He said the primary health care system is one of the Ministry’s major strategies since it aims to educate the public on preserving health and avoiding serious illness. O’Brien said the primary health care strategy is important for PLWHAs to delay the onset of AIDS. He said the Ministry has ensured the availability of knowledge through literature, advice from health care providers and workshops such as the one taking place. Healthy Eating for Better Living: A Caribbean Handbook contains ten chapters. There are sections on “What Does Nutrition have to do with HIV/AIDS?”, “Planning a Healthy Diet,” “Coping with Problems related to HIV/AIDS.” Organisations interested in obtaining a copy of the book can contact CFNI at 663-1544 or 645- 2917 or make requests via e-mail to cfni@cablenett.net.