The impact of HIV/AIDS on St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been similar to that of other small developing countries. Our scarce, invaluable human resources have been depleted by the death of persons whose skills and expertise have been difficult to replace. The cost of financing training for our citizens is high and the loss of our trained human resource places an increasing burden on our already limited financial resources. Our women of childbearing age are the segment of our society most at risk. This has serious implications for our future generations. It is suggested that half of all new infections occur in young people under the age of 25 years. Given that AIDS kills mostly people in the 15 - 49 age group, it is depriving families, communities and nations of their most productive people.
Mr. President: I believe in the old adage that "an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure", consequently, we must continue to educate our population, by ensuring that they have adequate and timely information, so that they can engage in the best possible practices.
In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we have taken on the challenge by continuing our educational programmes involving NGOs, including community-based and cultural organizations. Our government is currently proposing to provide treatment to HIV/AIDS affected persons within our limited financial capabilities. We have already initiated a programme to reduce the mother-to-child transmissions, in collaboration with the Kingstown Medical College, a private institution.
The cost of medication must not be allowed to jeopardize the thrust to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS. The pharmaceutical industry must continue to demonstrate good will in this regard by making medicines more accessible and affordable. The Public Health safeguards in the Trips agreement must become a real option for developing states and more can be done on differential pricing.
Mr. President: We are facing a global emergency caused by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The global problem calls for a global solution and actions to halt the spread of this deadly disease. We must summon the political will and leadership necessary to face this challenge head on, but without the resources to do so we are fighting a losing battle. We welcome the establishment of a new global fund and applaud the countries that have committed substantial resources to its creation.
We in the Caribbean are proud of our regional institutions that have been coordinating the effort against this disease, and we have many examples of best practices, which need to be systematically documented and disseminated. Our institutions like CAREC (Caribbean Epidemiology Center), CARICOM and CDB (Caribbean Development Bank) have a collection of highly trained personnel willing and capable of leading the fight against this disease in our Caribbean civilization. CARICOM has been the coordinating institution on many fronts in this battle and along with the other institutions mentioned, should be the focal points to distribute the resources allocated to our region from the fund.
Mr. President: In countries like ours, whose natural beauty makes it inviting for tourists seeking peace and tranquility, there is a tendency to avoid openly discussing any health-related epidemic, for fear that vitally needed financial resources would not flow into our economy. In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we feel that the opposite is necessary. We must display a renewed vigour to inform our citizens and visitors to our shores of the danger that is AIDS. We must fight the stigmatization against those infected with or affected by HIV. We need to strengthen the political resolve to fight back.
Finally, AIDS is a threat to all mankind - it knows no boundaries, colour, class, nor creed. It is only through partnership and international cooperation and active participation by all stakeholders that we would be able to curtail and arrest the spread of this disease. No country, no region, no sector can do it alone, but "Together now", we can.
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