In Barbados, no child has been born with HIV since 2007.

This was deemed as a sign of hope by Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steve Blackett, who described the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV within recent years as a ???great success???.

While addressing the audience at the inaugural Digicel Independence Gospel Explosion, which was held at the Wildey Gymnasium, last Sunday night, the Minister stated that ???it is no longer a hopeless road??? for persons living with HIV.

Pointing out that his Ministry, and other agencies across the island, provided food, clothing and sometimes shelter to persons living with HIV, Mr. Blackett reaffirmed Government???s commitment to offering the necessary assistance.

???The Government of Barbados provides access to anti-retroviral drugs, and once there is adherence to instructions regarding the taking of medication, persons living with HIV are now able to live for a number of years with the disease and live as closely as possible to normal.

???So, ladies and gentlemen there is hope. There is also hope that a cure will be found for HIV. There is hope that we will reach the stage that there with be zero new HIV infections. There is hope that there will be zero stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV,??? Mr. Blackett asserted.

sharifa.medford@barbados.gov.bb

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