On Sunday the 20th of May, during the Annual Aids Candle Light Memorial and Art of Living peace event at the AC Wathey Cruise Facility, Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams commented on the importance of combating stigma, discrimination and denial in the fight against HIV/ AIDS on St. Maarten. "Stigma, discrimination and denial have been classified as the third driver of the HIV epidemic, next to HIV and AIDS themselves," commented the Prime Minister.
The International Aids Candlelight Memorial's mission is to honor, support, and advocate for those who have been affected by the global HIV epidemic through mobilizing communities for a world where people do not die of AIDS and people living with HIV can live in health and with dignity. The candlelight memorial is commemorated around the globe in remembrance of the devastating toll HIV/AIDS has taken on humanity. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is committed to ending HIV by raising awareness and advocating for the advancement of effective policies at all levels. This grassroots commemoration started in 1983 and is now in its 29th year.
"We in this part of the world should not allow our concern for the spread of HIV/AIDS and our resolve to fight the disease be dwarfed by the sheer numbers and magnitude of the epidemic worldwide; 34 million people live with HIV/AIDS worldwide and HIV/AIDS is the world's leading infectious killer. About 30 million people have died to date and an estimated 1.8 million people die every year from the disease. An estimated 3.4 million children are living with HIV/AIDS and over 7 million people in need of antiretroviral therapy still have no access to treatment," continued the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister also stated that St. Maarten has her own battles to fight and hurdles to overcome if the country wants to be counted amongst the nations that strive for the zeroing of AIDS related deaths and transmissions and the zeroing of inaccessibility to treatment.
"As we harness our strengths to combat the spread of HIV /AIDS we also face the threat of complacency or stigma and discrimination. Complacency is expecting that the achievement of above mentioned goals will come eventually, will happen some-how. But no they won't. Many think that it is not that bad on St. Maarten. Yes, it is. But on the other hand the more we confront the disease the more present the threat of alienation of those who are afflicted rises and the greater the threat of ignorance becomes. Much has been done over the years to foster awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and we have made great inroads. Look at the numbers that voluntarily heed the call to be tested. A Caribbean advocacy brief of 2011 states the following inter alia: "governments are aware that protecting and promoting human rights is a proven effective means to advance public health. However, the Caribbean, with notable exceptions such as the Bahamas, St. Maarten, and Surinam, have been slow and cautious in its legislative responses." commented the Prime Minister further.
The Prime Minister also commended the businesses that actively participate in the various HIV/AIDS awareness programs and the persons who live with Aids who are encouraged by the fact that they can live full and productive lives.
"To live your life in dignity is the right of every individual. That is not asking too much," concluded Prime Minister Wescot-Williams.
