Latest statistics show AIDS on the increase
This morning’s landmark press conference was hosted by the commanding officers in Belize’s brutal battle against AIDS, and while each general briefed the audience with insight and authority, not a man or woman present could offer a prediction on what–or even if–the war would be won.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
The bad news was inescapable and the statistics did not lie. The simple fact is that the AIDS epidemic is hitting Belize hard and the numbers are increasing. From 1986 through September of this year 1,219 cases of HIV infection have been confirmed in Belize. 357 have turned into full-blown AIDS and 243 Belizeans have died from the disease. But as bad as these figures sound, they do not begin to describe the magnitude of the problem. Most disturbing is the number of new HIV infections reported each year, which has risen from 93 in 1996 to 241 in 1999.
Dr. Errol Vanzie, Director of Health Services
“Well unfortunately what the figures are showing is that there is an increase trend and that’s almost duplicating every year. We are hoping that within the next three to four years we will be able to reach the status of some developing countries like the U.S. where they have reached a plateau and then the cases begin to decline.”
But before any decline becomes evident, there is a large amount of work to be done. One major hurdle just now being surmounted is the gathering of accurate data. A validation exercise has recently been completed to verify older data and current record keeping is now up to world standards. A new public reporting system has been established, which will now see full statistics on HIV and AIDS released each quarter. But once we know the magnitude of the problem will we have the ability to do anything about it?
Jacqueline Woods
“How much does government estimate the entire programme will cost and can the government afford it?”
Dolores Balderamos Garcia
“That is not a question I can answer right now. We are going to be doing budget exercises early in the new year, but what I would like to mention to you is that I will be lobbying very closely with my colleagues, that the various line items of the various ministries put something for not only the AIDS awareness and education, but also the Ministry of Health being able to deal with what is happening now.”
“As we go through the budget exercise, you can be assured that I will be saying to my colleagues that we need to make sure that monies and resources are set aside so that we can pool it all together. In the Commission’s work in the new year one of the first things that we will be looking at is he policy development.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Minister when you mentioned that you will be speaking with your colleagues, does this include the Cabinet?”
Dolores Balderamos Garcia
“Oh absolutely, absolutely. As a matter of fact I already had a one on one with the Prime Minister in relation to the resources for HIV/AIDS. The Commission does need a budget to run you know we need an office. We have a fulltime coordinator in the person of Ruth Gloria, who by the way is extremely committed and very effective. But we also need to know that there have to be resources for programmes and for the kinds of education that we need because of the present epidemic.”
And education can’t come a moment too soon. As it is, younger Belizeans are increasingly bearing the brunt of the AIDS crisis. The most recent statistics show that almost half of new HIV infections are in the 20 to 34 age group. Women are also being targeted in greater proportions, with the ratio for new cases being 1.2 men for every woman. So much for the myth that AIDS is just a homosexual problem. And while the cost of care for AIDS victims will severely tax the nation’s public and private resources, the real need is for medicine of the preventative kind.
Ruth Gloria, Coordinator, National Aids Commission
“Now that we do have the understanding of how complex this epidemic, is that’s why we are here because we need your support. We need the media support to carry this message through, so that other sectors including the media can get involved in this process. It can no longer be a health issue.”
With AIDS increasingly recognized as a social issue, Belize–like the rest of the world–will have to approach the crisis by mobilizing all the creativity, ingenuity and above all discipline that our community can muster.
Officials present at today’s press briefing were reluctant to offer estimates of how many Belizeans are infected with the AIDS virus, although it is generally accepted that the statistics account for only a fraction of the real amount. Past estimates based on sketchy data suggested a figure of five thousand, or roughly two percent of the population. Based on the new data released today, the United Nations should publish a revised estimate shortly. At that time we will know with greater certainty how we’re doing in relation to our neighbours. In a programming note, viewers are asked to tune in to a special edition of Talk Caribbean dedicated to the AIDS problem. The live show airs Sunday night at 7:00.
