…Dr. Gina Watson calls for end to stigma and discrimination.
Rawle Nelson
Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Representative, Dr. Gina Watson, has spoken out against the issue of stigma and discrimination of people affected by various health related disease that she noted is fast transcending the boundaries of regional boarders. Dr Watson urged the media to play a more responsible role in helping to eradicate this culture thus ensuring that the public is better informed, sensitized and educated on health issues affecting the region.
She was at the time delivering the feature address at the inaugural staging of the MISOPLWHA and partners Pan American Health Organization Barbados and Eastern Caribbean awards ceremony staged at the Sweet Lime Restaurant situated at Port Zante.
Dr Watson in a passionate plea which was well received by those in attendance pointed out that stigma and discrimination is not only felt by those living with HIVAIDS but also those affected by other diseases such as diabetes and cancer among others.
She noted that this new culture continues to crate undue challenges and difficulties for those working in trying to eradicate the issue of stigma and discrimination. During her address Dr Watson spoke about the many challenges that the issue of stigma and discrimination creates noting that the media can play a major and meaningful role in achieving success. “The media should always see themselves as part of the fight as we need their assistance via radio, newspaper and television and if we can unite in a meaningful way then I am confident that true success would be achieved,” she said.
Walking away with the Government Award for 2009, was Elvis Newton Permanent Secretary within the St Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Health. Julia Lizondo from Mexico copped the award for Corporate Assistance for her work within the region in addressing both communicable and non communicable diseases. BD a United States / Mexican company took away the award for best corporate support and assistance. The 3H Network of Antigua and Barbuda walked away with the award for NGO as they were recognized for tier significant contributions towards the fight for the reduction of stigma and discrimination in addressing HIVAIDS.
Prominent Nevisian businessman, Andy Liburd was recognized for his contributions in youth empowerment and education more particularly I women empowerment. His significant and sterling contributions has been recorded for a number of years spanning all the schools in Nevis has been working towards ensuring that challenged and disadvantage girls are offered a second chance at fulfilling their educational pursuits and dreams.
Meanwhile, St Maarten based businessman and sculptor, Michael Magihro was honored for his work in sculpting and also for his social contributions and work which has spanned several islands and involves collaboration with a number of regional nongovernmental organizations.
Commissioner of Finance in the St Maarten Government, Xavier Blackman along with Dr Watson who the awards was executed under her patronage presented the various awards.
MISOPLWHA late Vice President, Jennifer Jones who passed away in early march of this year shortly after the judging of the awards was spontaneously honored for her contributions to the growth and continued development of the regional media while a new award was also presented in honour of the late Jones who was viewed as a pioneer and champion in eradicating stigma and discrimination.
Former General Manager of ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation, a Winston Mc Mahon, St Kitts and Nevis based company was the first recipient of the new award which is to be known as the Jennifer Jones Award for Excellence in Media Contributions.
The objective of the evening awards ceremony was to open a dialogue about Health and health related issues thus being able to break down the barriers of stigma and discrimination while encouraging the public including the media alike to seek out the information they need to protect themselves and support people affected by both communicable and non communicable diseases especially those living with HIV/AIDS in their communities.
Manager of Latin, South and Central America including the Caribbean for BD, Dr Maria Rubia announced that her company was exploring a number of avenues as they seek to further enhanced and collaborate with other NGO’s within the region. She urged the organizers to continue what she called good and meaningful efforts in effectively addressing stigma and discrimination.
Dr Rubia stressed that the audience that societies can no longer afford not to recognize several non communicable and communicable diseases which she claimed continues to create havoc. She however said that she hopes that people no longer see HIV/AIDS as a fatal weapon.
Meanwhile, Dr Gina Watson in her presentation pointed out that retarding HIVAIDS had this virus been recognized and taken seriously from the inception, then the world might have been a different place. “The reality is that for too long we look at new diseases as nothing so important and unfortunately we only seriously address heath when it hits home,” she said.
Media In Support Of People Living With HIVAIDS (MISOPLWHA) was formally launched and legally registered in 2006. The aim of the organization is to mobilize and assist other Non Governmental Organizations, health centers through the media so as to guide and assist in their response to HIV/AIDS and other diseases in the workplace and beyond. The organization noted that this can and is done via facilitating technical assistance as well as helping organizations identify and apply their core competencies, products, services and resources to assist in the response to HIV/AIDS among other Non Communicable diseases.