HIV/AIDS lobby group launched
published: Tuesday March 14, 2006
KINGSTON (CMC):
HIV/AIDS WORKERS from several Caribbean countries have launched a new organisation that will also lobby regional governments on human rights issues.
The Caribbean Vulnerable Coalition (CVC) said it would also concentrate on persons most at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, including commercial sex workers and homosexuals.
"CVC will seek to do a number of things," said CVC board member, Debra Manning. "We are going to try and ensure adequate access to care and treatment for members of the vulnerable population. We are also planning to advocate to government and regional organisations on human rights issues."
She said that the group would also introduce measures in an effort to reduce the stigma and discrimination against persons living with the disease.
The weekend launch was attended by HIV/AIDS workers from Haiti, the Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Suriname and several other regional states.
Next to sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean has the highest prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the world.
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