CitCo HIV campaign to target mentally ill

The war against HIV is being fought on many fronts and today an unlikely source joined local efforts: the Belize City Council. According to Field Officer Troy Banner, the target of their HIV initiative will be persons with mental illnesses.

Troy Banner, Field Officer, CitCo HIV/AIDS Initiative
?You know from time to time people will meet you on the street and say, ?Mr. Please fi wah lee dollar, I have HIV.? Now what we will do? We will refer that patient to the V.C.T. centre, see if that patient is on any kind of anti-retroviral medication, and see if that patient has been tested. And then later on go on to the family, see how we can counsel them, involve them with that client and see what role they can play within that client?s life.?

Kendra Griffith, Reporting
?Why do this??

Troy Banner
?Well it?s a very, very great endeavour. First of all, HIV is not only for those who are infected now it?s for all of us. We are all at risk and it?s a disease for all of us. We have to look out for each other.?

Banner says part of the programme will include asking businesses for food items to help the patients with their nutritional needs. For more information on the initiative, you can contact Banner at the City Council, telephone number 227-2117.