PUBLIC Health Minister Dr George Norton has promised to invest financially in the Food Bank of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) as it continues to provide food for persons living with HIV/AIDS.“I will work in that direction,” Minister Norton said, as he delivered an address during a simple presentation ceremony at NAPS on Friday. During that ceremony, a quantity of food supplies was presented to the Food Bank by the Masters in Public Health students of the University of Guyana.

The Public Health Minister also commended the efforts of NAPS in accomplishing “quite a lot” in its strong fight against HIV/AIDS in Guyana, and has praised the Food Bank for its efforts in meeting the nutritional needs of those living with the disease countrywide.

He said that, over the years, Guyana has seen great accomplishments in its HIV/AIDS campaign; has been able to make available ARVs in communities at large, and has been successful in efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the disease.

He pointed out that many persons who were born with the HIV virus are now adults who lead healthy careers and contribute towards Guyana’s development.

The Minister thanked the MPH students for the “good gesture”, and said it would benefit hundreds.

Student representative Ulex Fung, along with Programme Administrator Dr. Reeta Gobin, said the presentation was part of the group’s project, and was a way of “giving back” in celebration of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
“We’re happy to do this as a group,” she said, after explaining that the students decided on the project as soon as they first learnt about the Food Bank.

NAPS Programme Manager Dr. Shanti Singh said the supplies are important, and that hampers will be delivered to people living with HIV/AIDS who are on high-protein diets. She said the packages are usually put together by a special food handling division of the Ministry of Public Health, and persons who benefit are specifically selected by clinicians and social workers.

Manager of the Food Bank, Social Worker and Nutritionist Somdatt Ramessar, said the Food Bank is celebrating 10 years in operation this year, and “has certainly filled a significant void for persons living with HIV.”

It is one of three Food Banks in the Caribbean, with Barbados and Suriname having the other two; and it is a model programme for the entire Caribbean under the NAPS HIV/AIDS programme.

He said the nutritious supplies are vital as part of the holistic package offered to persons living with HIV, as many of them are still employed and contribute to nation building.

Over 571 food hampers have been given out between January and April; and between 2007 and now, the Food Bank has been responsible for distributing in excess of 300,000 pounds of dry food, Ramessar said.

Many single parents and senior citizens also benefit from the programme, which is accessed by persons in the ten administrative regions of Guyana, Ramdass said.

While 25 private sector agencies are currently listed as donors, he is calling on more businesses, organisations and individuals to join in support of the programme.