PHILIPSBURG:--- The HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team along with Minister of Health Cornelius De Weever announced on Wednesday that they have kicked off a joint awareness campaign starting on Wednesday to motivate and encourage persons living on the island to participate in free HIV testing.
Marhjie Troost, member of the HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team told reporters that St. Maarten was selected to be part of the PANCAP Improving Service Awareness Program. Troost said the project is a joint project between the French and Dutch side of the island. She said that one of the reasons St. Maarten was selected is because of the amount of people of different nationalities living on St. Maarten/St. Martin. The awareness campaign will be done in three languages which are English, Spanish, and Creole.
While the project kicked off last Friday, the organizers told reporters that there is no end date as to when the campaign will end. They said that the awareness project was sponsored by the German Corporation project funds. Troost refused to divulge how much monies St. Maarten/St. Martin obtained for the awareness which will take place throughout the island. Troost said HIV/AIDS has no borders and they felt the need to work hand in hand with the French side in order to make this campaign successful.
The HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team issued a strong call to the people of St. Maarten to do the HIV test since HIV/AIDS has no borders.
Angelique Pottier representative of the French St. Martin HIV group said that are more than happy to work for the first time with the Dutch side to tackle and bring awareness to the people of St. Maarten/St. Martin on HIV/AIDS.
Banners, posters, jingles, websites and other form of advertising will be used to enhance the awareness.
