Workers of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GLP) were yesterday educated on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) at a training session at the Agency’s Sophia Training Centre.
The Board of Directors, Management and staff of GPL recognised the need for workers’ education on HIV/AIDS that has claimed the lives of many people in Guyana and around the world, and the Ministry of Health and the Francois Xavier Bagnoud Centre (FXB- Guyana) collaborated with GPL on this venture.
Nurse and Counsellor, Francois Xavier, Bagnoud Centre, and Pamela Hart of the Ministry of Health, gave an overview of the causes and effects of the HIV virus.
Hart stated that the activity is designed to promote and increase the awareness of HIV/AIDS, as well as encourage persons to live healthy lifestyles and to make the right choices.
The virus affects the human immune system, which causes it to become weak, making it unable to efficiently fight against diseases. This inhibits the body in its fights against illness such as the common cold and flu.

If the HIV virus is not treated and the person continues to engage in sexual activities, he/she can contract AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, including syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, hepatitis, genital warts-ulcers, and pubic lice.
However, she noted that treatment is available for persons who have been infected with the deadly virus and that all information is confidential.
Hart emphasised that all HIV tests are voluntary and she encouraged persons to test on a regular basis to ensure that they are safe.
In addition, she mentioned that voluntary counselling and testing are given to infected persons.
A documentary which focused on Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases was also shown to enlighten persons about the effects of the virus.

Persons were able to ask questions about various unclear situations and were answered accordingly.
The FXB Center works collaboratively with the MOH and its primary mandate in Guyana is the expansion of multi-disciplinary family-centered care and treatment of people infected with HIV, through direct care and training.
In addition, the MOH’s National Workplace HIV/AIDS Policy was launched in March 2009 and aims to develop workplace policies such as protecting persons living with HIV from discrimination in the working environment. (GINA)