HIV/AIDS is one of the health crises that the international community is battling to control. Today, millions of people are living with the condition and many more are in danger of contracting it. It is true that HIV/AIDS is a global epidemic. However, there are countries that have been ravaged by the illness more than others. Guyana is among these countries. In an effort to keep its people safe against the condition and such opportunistic infections as Tuberculosis (TB), the authorities in Guyana have adopted a number of strategies and policies. While HIV/AIDS and TB continue to pose serious threats to public health in Guyana, the government efforts are commendable and promise to help eliminate these infections.
Effect of HIV
South America is among the regions that have the highest number of HIV infections in the world. According to Coggins (2007), the HIV infection rate stands at a worrying 7.1%. Certain populations record higher infection rates. For example, Evans, Friedland and Gutozzo (2005) note that the rate among sex workers in urban areas is as high as 44%. HIV has had numerous adverse effects on the people of Guyana and the larger South American region. Exposing individuals living with the infection to stigma and discrimination is one of the impacts that HIV has had (“NAC Survey of Stigma”, n.d). Guyana is not isolated in this regard since across the globe, people living with HIV suffer stigma, abuse and isolation.
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The impact of HIV on the Guyanese people extends beyond stigma and discrimination. This infection has is also responsible for hundreds of deaths reported in the country. According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Guyana recorded a 9.5% death rate arising from HIV in 2002. It is encouraging that this rate had declined to 4.8% in 2012 (UNAIDS, 2015). Despite the progress made in the fight against HIV infections, it should be noted that this illness continues to ravage the country’s population. In its report, the UNAIDS observed that those living with the condition are exposed to such opportunistic infections as TB (UNAIDS, 2015).
Tremendous progress has been made in the development of interventions to treat HIV. Guyana is among the nations that offer treatment for free at a number of select facilities. However, the free treatment is only available at facilities that are donor-supported. For many individuals with HIV, treatment remains costly. Figures released by the World Health Organization show that on average, a person living with HIV spends as much as $2095 annually (WHO, 2005). This figure is significant given that the per capita gross domestic product is $951 (WHO). The high cost of treating HIV can be blamed for the slow progress that Guyana has made in its efforts to eradicate the condition. Given the high cost, it is fair to expect that hundreds of patients are unable to access treatment. Data from UNAIDS shows that of the 36.7 million people living with HIV, as many as 19.5 million lack access to anti-retroviral therapy (Marshall, 2017). Guyana undoubtedly accounts for a significant portion of the population that lacks access.
Government Response
The government of Guyana understands that unless it takes action, the HIV epidemic will continue to devastate its people. It has implemented a number of measures through which it hopes to reduce HIV infections and curb such illnesses as TB. Establishing partnerships with monetary institutions such as the World Bank is one of these initiatives. The primary purpose of the initiatives is to secure funding that is used to finance HIV and TB prevention and treatment programs. For example, in 2004, the World Bank extended a loan and grants to the Guyanese government with the goal of helping the government in its efforts to tackle HIV and TB (World Bank, 2004). The partnerships that the Guyanese government has developed with international institutions have also allowed it to gain access to high quality and cost-effective treatment for HIV. For example, in collaboration with such organizations as the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the governments of such countries as Kenya, Guyana was able to obtain cheap anti-retroviral drugs (Marshall, 2017). By working closely with its international partners, the Guyana government has demonstrated its dedication to securing the wellbeing of its people.
The partnerships that the Guyanese government has developed are not the only initiative that it has implemented. In addition to these partnerships, the government has also implemented policies aimed at preventing HIV and TB. For example, it launched a campaign aimed at sensitizing people to establish their HIV status through testing (Ministry of Health, n.d). Having determined their status, the individuals can then take steps to safeguard their health. For example, those found to have contracted HIV can implement measures to live positively and healthily. Another initiative that the Guyanese government has adopted involves providing treatment to those with HIV and TB. While the treatment programs are availed to all, the government gives special focus to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women (Ministry of Health, n.d). The measures that the government has instituted are commendable and underscore its dedication to promoting public health.
In an earlier section, it was noted that discrimination and stigma are among the effects that HIV continues to have on people living with HIV in Guyana. One of the initiatives that the country’s government has implemented responds directly to this issue. As part of its strategy to combat HIV and TB, the government of Guyana has enacted laws that prohibit the discrimination and stigma against people living with HIV (Ministry of Health, n.d). Through these laws, it can be expected that HIV-positive people in Guyana will be accepted and feel valued. The laws will clearly play a critical role in enhancing recovery and creating a tolerant society. Apart from the laws, the government of Guyana also announced plans to introduce HIV education into the curricula taught in schools (Ministry of Education, n.d). There is no doubt that this measure is intended to sensitize students about HIV and to encourage them to embrace those living with the condition.
There is some indication that the various measures that the Guyanese government has implemented have been successful. For example, the country has recorded a steady decline in the HIV infection rate. Furthermore, as a result of the initiatives, more and more people in the country have been tested for HIV (UNAIDS, 2015). A drop in the co-occurrence rate of HIV and TB is further evidence that the initiatives are yielding the desired results. For example, in 2012, 31% of people with HIV had also developed TB (UNAIDS, 2015). This rate had dropped to 22 by 2014. In order to sustain the momentum, the government of Guyana should redouble its efforts.
In conclusion, HIV and TB remain among the most pressing public health challenges of today. In such countries as Guyana, these infections are responsible for hundreds of deaths that are reported every year. Moreover, HIV imposes a cost-burden on patients who incur huge amounts every year when seeking treatment. The government of Guyana has adopted various initiatives with the goal of protecting its people against HIV and TB. These initiatives range from partnerships with international institutions to offering affordable treatment. There is some evidence to suggest that the initiatives are working. More effort is needed to ensure that the progress that the country is making is sustained.
References
Coggins, P. C. (2007). Cultural issues for HIV/AIDS clients from the Caribbean myths and realities. Guyana Journal. Retrieved October 16, 2018 from http://www.guyanajournal.com/HIV-AIDS_Caribbean.html
Evans, C. A. W., Friedland, J. S., & Gotuzzo, E. (2005). HIV in South America. Medicine (Abingdon), 33 (6), 44-5.
Marshall, S. (2017). Price for high-quality HIV treatment slashed. Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2018 from http://guyanachronicle.com/2017/09/21/price-for-high-quality-hiv-treatment-slashed
Ministry of Health. (n.d). Guyana national HIV/AIDS strategy 2007-2011. Retrieved October 16, 2018 from http://www.nationalplanningcycles.org/sites/default/files/country_docs/Guyana/hiv_plan_guyana.pdf
NAC survey of stigma & discrimination experiences of HIV+ Guyanese. (n.d). Retrieved October 16, 2018 from http://www.devnet.org.gy/guyanagateway/files/NAC%20Survey%20Results.pdf
United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). (2014). Guyana AIDS response progress report. Retrieved October 16, 2018 from http://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/country/documents/GUY_narrative_report_2015.pdf
The World Bank. (2004). AIDS regional update- Latin America & the Caribbean. Retrieved October 16, 2018 from http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:20054567~menuPK:34480~pagePK:34370~piPK:116742~theSitePK:4607,00.html
World Health Organization (WHO). (2005). Guyana. Retrieved October 16, 2018 from http://www.who.int/hiv/HIVCP_GUY.pdf
