PLEASE allow me to comment on an article appearing in the Stabroek News Tuesday, February 14, 2012 captioned: “More can be done to reduce HIV risk of MSM.” (Rawlins’ interview with the Stabroek News). Jesus said to His disciples, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Since the first comprehensive case of HIV was formally diagnosed in Guyana in 1987, we have made significant progress in fighting HIV in Guyana.

Indeed, it would be fair to say that Guyana now has an HIV programme, that has received international recognition due to our Honourable, Minister  of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy. Guyana has developed a very comprehensive model treatment and care programme.

Persons living with HIV including MSM are able to receive state-of-the art treatment in Guyana at no cost. Persons with HIV also MSM receive other kinds of support. Today, thousands of Guyanese are on anti – retroviral treatment.

A report was submitted on PRs committee on proposal review. Guyana received approval for an HIV RCC in 2009. An integral aspect of the proposal is support to civil society organization in ensuring that the Global Fund deliverables and the National outcomes are achieved.

During the period of August 15, 2010 to October 15, 2010 calls for proposals were advertised in the National newspapers with a deadline for submission by 12:00hrs on October 15, 2010.

A total of 15 proposals were received on a timely manner and 17 were received after the deadline dates. The PR convened a committee of the CCM to review these proposals. The members of the committee are as follows:

1. Ms. Desiree Edghill – Chair
2. Dr. Shanti Singh – member
3. Mr. Sherwood Clarke – member
4. Ms. Ernestine Logan – member
5. Ms. Lorna Mc Pherson – member
6. Ms. Phyllis Jordan – member
7. *Dr. Barbara Allen – member (Mr. Menno Aarnout)**
8. Ms. Nirvanie Persaud – CCM secretariat support staff
The committee met on eight occasions on the following dates:
1. January 12th, 2011
2. January 25th, 2011
3. January 28th, 2011
4. February 4th, 2011
5. February 11th, 2011
6. February 15th, 2011
7. March 1st, 2011
8. March 7th, 2011

The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana has made an unprecedented commitment to combat HIV/AIDS. Using these stepping stones and best practices as a guide, the government, in its efforts to address the epidemic, has prepared, in consultation with its stakeholders, a National Strategic plan for HIV/AIDS, the implementation of which will cost millions of U.S. dollars.

We must take our efforts to the workplace; take it to the homes of families and communities, forge strategic partnerships and alliances across public, private and NGOs’, in fact, across the entire country. The time to act is now mobilizing our strengths collectively and swiftly, to reverse the trend of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our country and restore it to the healthy and productive Guyana. Remember time is short, the task at hand is enormous and failure cannot be an option.