The Minister of Health Dr Fuad Khan, last Tuesday launched four (4) HIV Policies, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain, one of which focuses on the vulnerabilities of women and children to HIV.
The HIV Policies launched were: the National HIV Counseling and Testing Policy; the Post Exposure Prophylaxis Policy; Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV policy; and Health Sector HIV Workplace Policy.
They are to be disseminated throughout all public and major private health institutions.
Key objectives of the National HIV Counseling and Testing Policy: include defining the roles, responsibilities and rights of patients and health care providers in achieving Universal Access to HIV testing and counseling of a uniform standard. This is expected to increase the provision of same day HIV testing and counseling at every primary care facility at least once per week.
With increased testing, persons with HIV, will be diagnosed in earlier stages of the disease to facilitate timely referral to care and treatment and lead to fewer persons progressing to AIDS and requiring hospital care.
As it relates to the prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and the Post Exposure Prophylaxis Policies, these will highlight the Ministry of Health’s continued focus on the vulnerabilities of women and children to HIV. The PMTCT policy affirms that reducing the transmission of HIV from HIV infected women to their babies during and after pregnancy is paramount and includes universal access of pregnant mothers to HIV testing.
The Health Sector HIV Workplace Policy, according to the Ministry seeks to set minimum standards for support and management of persons infected and affected by HIV in the healthcare work environment. A supportive work environment is envisioned with reduced stigma and discrimination.
Dr Khan Minister told the audience, “In the areas of prevention, treatment, care and support, theseThese policies will provide guiding principles, while fostering the creation of client care treatment protocols and codes of practice for the entire health sector, and in particular the Regional Health Authorities.
“I would like to assure you that the Ministry of Health remains committed to halting the spread of HIV in this country by 2015 and continues to put strategies in place to make this a reality. In this regard, the dedicated efforts of civil society groups and key health services that underwent this training must be applauded. As we seek to achieve our national objective of HIV prevention, the Ministry plans to increase its interventions to improve outcomes. “
Certificates were presented to seventy five (75) persons from the Regional Health Authorities and NGOs who graduated from a HIV Peer Support Programme.
This training programme was done by the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society, on behalf of the Ministry of Health. An additional twenty (20) certificates were presented to those who graduated from a HIV Counseling and Testing Programme conducted by the Ministry of Health.
