by Linda Straker
- 20 to 30 new HIV positive cases in Grenada annually
- 2023 data states over 400 people live with HIV
- Administrative process started for integrating service
Dr Shawn Charles, Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, has announced that Grenada will be integrating HIV care into the routine primary healthcare for the people who need to get tested as well as receive treatment and counselling if they are diagnosed with a positive status for this medical condition.
“One of the reasons for integrating HIV services into primary healthcare is that we want to bring the services closer to people,” he said, explaining that under the current arrangement, individuals from St Patrick have to travel all the way to the capital, St George’s, for certain services. “This is not an equitable way of ensuring that access is for everyone. So, we want the services from testing, counselling, to treatment now to be integrated as part of our routine clinics.”
Dr Charles believes that such a move will reduce stigma and discriminatory behaviour toward people who are living with HIV. Addressing a news conference on 14 July, he said that among the benefits of such a change is a reduction in stigma and discrimination. “Apart from increasing access, [is that] you reduce stigma and discrimination as well, instead of having everyone go to one place and all of that, that is basically our position,” he said without disclosing the date for the start of integrating the service nor the strategy that will be employed for the successful transition of this services into the island’s primary healthcare system.
However, Kelville Frederick, Senior Information Officer in the Health Promotion Department of the Ministry of Health, said the administrative process has started for integrating the service through training, formulating of policies and procedures. “The next step is stakeholder consultation to approve the process,” he said, pointing out that in addressing stigma and discrimination, there will be more provider sensitisation, education and training as well as client sensitisation and education to minimise self-stigma.
Dr Charles said that there are between 20 to 30 new HIV positive cases in Grenada annually. The 2023 data states there were over 400 people living with HIV.
