B.W.S. supports AIDS campaign
The war against the AIDS pandemic is being fought on many battle fields, but after nearly twenty years of effort, no magic bullet has been found on any, be it treatment, cure or prevention. But some progress is being made and today a prominent member of the private sector was enlisted on the educational front. Jacqueline Woods reports.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Despite prolonged publicity campaigns to fight against HIV and AIDS, the numbers continue to rise. Today it is estimated that there are three thousand, three hundred people in Belize infected with the virus and close to six hundred living with AIDS.
Rodel Beltran Perera, Director, Alliance Against Aids
“It is not a good picture. I think that we say more and more that we are still seeing the trend of one infection per day and we are seeing the trend of a death per week. That trend began many years ago and it still continues and we still do not have a good picture of HIV and AIDS in this country.”
Not only have concerned organizations like the Alliance Against AIDS, and the National AIDS Commission been educating the public about the deadly disease, but recently the private sector has joined in the effort. Today three of eleven billboards, sponsored by Belize Water Services were unveiled at the second roundabout on the northern highway. The messages focus on protection, prevention and elimination of stigma and discrimination.
Martin Greenhalgh, C.E.O., Belize Water Services
“What we hope to gain from this is a synergy with the people in Belize and hopefully try an education people in the smart ways and the caring ways about AIDS and HIV. I think the biggest issue for me is to try and help with the discrimination aspects of AIDS, because that’s the only way that you will ever truly get your messages across to people, if you can block out the discrimination associated with it. And the facts speak for themselves, unfortunately Belize has got one of the highest HIV per capita ratio in Central American and hopefully by helping the National AIDS Commission we could do something about that.”
The three billboards unveiled today, plus one more, will be erected in Belize City, while an additional seven will be displayed countrywide. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
B.W.S. says the billboard campaign is just one of the many activities the company will sponsor as part of their 2003 community assistance program. So far, B.W.S. has assisted with the construction of the activity house for the Dorothy Menzies Child Care Centre and has partnered with the British High Commission to fund the construction of the SAVES-Marla’s House of Hope centre in Belmopan.
