Caribbean360: Appeal for re-allocation of global HIV/AIDS funds

Appeal for re-allocation of global HIV/AIDS funds
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Chris Hoyos on 03/05/2011 10:30:00
 
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Tuesday May 3, 2011 – Prime Minister Bruce Golding has made
an appeal to the United Nations (UN) to revisit the criteria for allocating
funds to fight HIV/AIDS as it is not possible for the Government to divert funds
and resources from other urgent priority areas to fight the disease.
Golding said he is concerned about the UN criteria which specifies that Jamaica
which has recently been designated as a high middle income country will not be
eligible for funding assistance from the Global Fund as of 2013.
Addressing a high level Leaders Consultation on Stigma, Discrimination and
Gender Inequality affecting Jamaica's HIV/AIDS Response, he said the Minister of
Health, Rudyard Spencer will place before a UN meeting in June, the needs of
Jamaica before they re-allocate and re-designate countries.
He also appealed for a special submission to be made for the struggle against
HIV/AIDS in terms of containment.
Part of the consultation saw the signing of a declaration of commitment to
eliminate stigma, discrimination and gender inequality affecting Jamaica's
HIV/AIDS Response 2011.
Prime Minister Golding noted that this signaled the commitment of the leaders of
the country to continue the effort to break down the walls of humiliation and
prejudice associated with HIV/AIDS.
"There is so much more that is going to have to be done in terms of
sensitization. We don't have a problem in treating people who develop diabetes
and so on but we still have a problem with people with HIV/AIDS," he said.
The Prime Minister commended key players who have been driving the thrust to
fight stigma, discrimination and gender inequality issues which affect Jamaicans
living with HIV/AIDS. He also applauded the work done through legislation to
fight the stigma of the disease.
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