THE Guyana Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBCHA) recently trained another 15 peer educators, significantly beefing up its network of such trained workplace personnel to promote the local fight against the epidemic.

The training, constituting the second batch for the year, was held over a three-day period, and brought together participants from Farfan & Mendes Limited; the Guyana Gold & Diamond Miners’ Association; Guyana National Shipping Corporation; Guyana Revenue Authority; Hand in Hand Group of Companies, and Scotiabank.

The objective was to sensitize participants on health and wellness issues, as well as equip them with skills to share information with their peers.

Topics included HIV and prevention of gender-based violence. The training also stressed the importance of mental health and awareness of non-communicable diseases (NCD).

Coordinators from the Men’s and Women’s Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security discussed issues of changing gender roles and norms, while outlining the services available for people affected by partner violence.
Participants were also exposed to current information from the Ministry of Health’s Vector Control Services.

GBCHA is a membership organization which supports the business sector in promoting healthy lifestyles in the workplaces and communities. The coalition assists members to develop programmes and to craft workplace policies, and it also distributes resource materials.

GBCHA recently elected a new Board of Directors to serve for the period 2014-2015. The Chairperson is Ms. Ruth Autar of Edward B Beharry and Co. Ltd. She is supported by Troy Peters of Banks DIH; Jennifer Cipriani of Scotiabank; Andrew Astwood of Guyana National Shipping Corporation; Chaitnairine Brijnandan of Continental Group of Companies; Donna Roberts-Benjamin of John Fernandes Limited; Yvette Fiedtkou of Sterling Products Limited; and Parvesh Bhola of National Milling Company.

(By Shirley Thomas)