–NAPS’ Dr. Rhonda Moore at annual awards ceremony

PROGRAMME Manager of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr. Rhonda Moore warned Friday that there will be no resting on one’s laurels until a cure is found for

HIV/AIDS.
“Regardless of the achievements made over the years, we must recognise that the work is not done until a cure is found,” she said.

“And so, we have to continue to be diligent in what we do, and not give up,” she told guests at a function Friday evening at the Hotel Tower on Main Street, here in the city.
The occasion was NAPS’ annual ‘Appreciation Ceremony’, its 11th to date, at which it honoured 12 members of staff, including three medical doctors, for their sterling performance in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The awardees were broken down into two categories: Ten Health Care Workers, among them two ‘surprise honorees’, and two organisations. The organisations receiving awards were the Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU), and Advancing Partners & Communities (APC).
Those Health Care Workers presented with plaques in appreciation of their selfless and dedicated work beyond the normal call of duty in the area of HIV/AIDS were: Dr. Nicole Nedd-Jerrick; Dr. Mallika Mootoo; Ms. Deborah Success-Hall; Mr.

Eson Crandon; Mr. Kenwyn Carmichael; Ms. Coleen Farrel; Ms. Shevonne Benn; Mr. Murvin Chalmers; and Ms. Nafeza Ally.

SURPRISE NOMINEES
Meanwhile, one of the surprise nominees was Dr. Morris Edwards, current HDSU Project Director, who was also the first Head of the AIDS Programme in Guyana, and functioned in that capacity for a number of years. The other was Dr Moore’s secretary, Ms Melanie Brown.
And spicing the evening’s programme were cultural pieces, including a skit by the NGO, Artistes in Direct Support; A Dance by the National Dance School; the rendition of inspirational songs by Michelle ‘Big-Red’ King (Big Red); and an interlude in pan by iconic pianist and steelpanist, Ras Camo Williams.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Moore recalled that the NAPS was established in 1992 with the aim of coordinating the HIV response in Guyana. “Our vision is actually to eliminate HIV in Guyana, and we aim to do so by reducing the spread of AIDS and improving the quality of life of People Living with HIV,” she said.
Noting that the goal they set themselves was no easy task, Dr Moore said, “Most of what we achieve cannot be achieved, or we could not have achieved alone. This was done with collaboration with our donors and partners.”

She listed as being among those donors and partners the (US) President’s Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR); the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS; and the Government of Guyana, which is now covering a large portion of NAPS’ expenditure.
She also cited the technical partners who assist by offering technical advice and guidance in this very important response by the NAPS. In this regard, Dr. Moore acknowledged the presence of UNAIDS’ Dr. Martin Odiit, for the significant role his organisation has played over the years.
Another key technical partner, she said, is PAHO/WHO, in terms of advising NAPS on what should be done and where they could better their response towards the fight against HIV & AIDS.

But the most important partners of all, she said, are those persons who are living with HIV, otherwise known as PLHIV. “Without PLHIV working with us and offering feedback on what we are delivering to them,” Dr Moore said, “we would not accomplishing our goals either.
“So I have to say thank you to the persons who would have been brave enough to form networks to help us in the fight against HIV.”

Dr. Moore noted that this coordinated response required all the collaboration in order to get us to our goal, noting that one of the aims is to acquire the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target. That is: To see 90% of PLHIV knowing their status; 90% of those people linked to a Care facility; and 90% of that portion being on treatment.