Local News

The Caribbean is today celebrating its fifth annual Regional HIV Testing Day.  For the first time, Belize decided to join in the regional celebration and through the collaboration of Scotiabank Belize the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Health and the National Aids Commission they are holding countrywide HIV testing and Counseling.  Today Love News visited the  testing site at the Scotiabank Parking Lot on Regent Street, where the Chair of the National Aids Commission, Kathy Esquivel told us about the importance of today’s event

KATHY ESQUIVEL, Chair or National AIDS Commission

“Everybody needs to get tested because if you know your status there is so much you can do.  One, treatment is available free to everyone in Belize and also, of course, if you know your status you can ensure that you know your loved ones and your partners safe, your children, any future children because HIV is not a fatal illness, it’s a chronic illness.  None of us want to get it but it can be managed and the earlier you get to it, like most illnesses, the better the prognosis.”

NATALIE NOVELO, Reporter

 “I see a lot of people out here, so what do you think in terms of the turn out so far?”

KATHY ESQUIVEL, Chair or National AIDS Commission

 “Oh, it’s very good, very good.  There’s a constant stream but that doesn’t mean people should think they’ll have to wait too long, it’s moving along quickly and I think it just shows that people are getting the idea that everybody needs to know their status.  All the testing is done confidentiality and there is some counselling so that you understand, not only whether what your status is, but the fact that you are getting tested means that probably you think you might be at risk and so the idea is even if you’re negative you should try to change whatever risky behaviour might have made you at risk.”  

Member of the Belize Chamber of Commerce Jaime Alberto Cuellar, says that one must remember that HIV does not discriminate between the private sector and government sector, and he explained to us why the chamber of Commerce decided to get involved in the initiative

JAIME ALBERTO CUELLAR, Member of Belize Chamber of Commerce

“We thought that it was very important that everybody gets involve in creating the awareness and, of course, the testing and that’s why we’re here today.  HIV does not discriminate; it affects the biggest work force if you want to put it that way.  It affects the productive sector so it’s very very important that we ensure that the productive sector is protected.”

Vice President and Managing Director of Scotiabank Belize Limited, Pat Andrews said Scotiabank did not hesitate to jump head on in today’s event

PATT ANDREWS, Vice President and Managing Director

We got involved in this initiative because we feel that it needs more attention, it needs to be brought to the public’s attention that testing is important and it worked out well in line with what the bank has been doing, our bank has been doing in the Caribbean region.  We have various countries that are in - today doing the same thing that we are doing, involved in testing and so we thought it was good for us to uplift that need.  I believe that our bank, along with the participants in this project or process, are looking for more awareness for people to feel comfortable in getting themselves tested.  That there is nothing wrong with it and to get rid of the stigma that exist around it so that basically we can become a better society down the road.”

NATALIE NOVELO, Reporter

 “Can you say that there is no discrimination in your workplace when it comes to HIV?”

PATT ANDREWS, Vice President and Managing Director

 “There isn’t any at all and that is one of thing them that our bank focuses on, not only here, but throughout the region and worldwide.”

Andrews says Scotiabank is seriously contemplating coming on board again next year.  Testing is being done by personnel of the Ministry Of Health and the public in general is invited to attend.  The event closes at three pm.