THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC,) the Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention (GHARP) 11 project and the National Tuberculosis Control Programme were among the partners of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat that were honored along with its staff at the annual Ministry of Health National AIDS Programme Secretariat’s Appreciation Ceremony at the Umana Yana, Kingston. Each year, the ceremony recognises NAPS staff and until recently its partners who would join the Secretariat in its campaign to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Guyana.
Present at the ceremony was Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Leslie Cadogan, Programme Manager, NAPS, Dr. Shanti Singh, United States Ambassador, Brent Hardt, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony and Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health, Joe Hamilton.
PS Cadogan said that it is appropriate that the Ministry expresses gratitude to those who have aided the significant progress the ministry has made in combating HIV/AIDS epidemic globally and in Guyana.  He said that the NAPs programme has begun to see real results in reducing the infection and especially in the prevention of mother to child transmission.
The programme has also been effective in HIV/AIDS management and treatment and patients are accessing high quality anti -retroviral treatment and living healthier and better lives. Today, Guyana’s death rate as a result of HIV/AIDS has reduced by more than 50 percent.  The PS said even though issues such as stigma and discrimination still continue to be challenges in combating the disease, the ministry will continue to work assiduously with the support of its staff and partners to break this cycle and ensure that the basic rights of every Guyanese, irrelevant of their status are fulfilled. Government continues to push the legislative environment to support persons living with HIV/AIDS.
PS Cadogan noted that all that has been achieved in the area of combating the epidemic could not have been possible without the staff and partners. He said whilst tribute is only being paid to a few, appreciation is due to all healthcare workers, as it is their collective work that helps to save lives.
The PS also lauded GHARP 11 for being a faithful partner of the ministry. He said that the agency’s continuous support has allowed the ministry to demonstrate true leadership and ownership of the efforts against the epidemic.
Ambassador Hardt in brief remarks, said he was especially pleased that the ministry decided to recognise the many contributions of the GHARP 11 project, to meeting the challenge of HIV/AIDS in Guyana. GHARP 11 is supported by USAID as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The Ambassador said that, GHARP has brought a strong emphasis on civil society partners, public sector health system strengthening, and HIV/AIDS prevention in Guyana and improved the quality of HIV/AIDS services through targeted technical assistance to civil society organisations that have proven to be among the most integral partners in the national HIV/AIDS response.  He also said that the project has fostered strategic partnerships among civil society and private sector organisations.
Dr. Shanti Singh also lauded the contribution of the staff and partners of NAPS and attributed the programme’s success to their valiant and relentless effort to make Guyana free of AIDS.
Those staff honoured for Outstanding Services included Nurses Aloma Holdera and Kamini Mahadeo of the Community Home and Palliative Care, Dr. Hazeline Smith-Lowe, Director, National care and Treatment Centre and Dr. Arya Devi, HIV Clinician, St Joseph Mercy Hospital. National Tuberculosis Control Programme and the GPHC received Outstanding Partnership Award, whilst GHARP 11 received four Outstanding Awards; one each went to Health care and Nutritional Support division, the voluntary counselling and testing division, the Prevention division and the Health System Strengthening division of GHARP 11. (GINA)