AIDS on the Rise in Tobago.

AIDS WALK: Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London,
centre, and Health Secretary Claudia Groome-Duke,
left, participate in the symbolic candle lighting in remembrance of those
 who died from HIV/AIDS during the Assembly’s
12th annual HIV/AIDS awareness walk at Bon Accord in Tobago yesterday.
 —Photo: ELIZABETH WILLIAMS

The  number of people infected with HIV/AIDS in Tobago is on the rise. 

This was confirmed yesterday during the 12th annual walk held by Friends of the Tobago Aids Society (FOTAS).

President of FOTAS Marcia Washington-Frank told the Express the age of infection in Tobago is from 14 years and upwards, as persons are becoming careless. THA Chief Secretary Orville London speaking to those gathered at the Store Bay Beach Facilities following the walk, said the journey must both be a literal and figurative one.

“And it is in that context that I want us to understand that we would never get to zero if we don’t keep walking, and I am saying that we have a responsibility to extend the walk beyond HIV/AIDS,” London said. 

Health Secretary Claudia Groome-Duke said Tobagonians must be mindful of their sexual behaviour, with the goal of living a healthy lifestyle. “And now we  face this challenge of getting to zero, which means zero HIV/AIDS, zero death to AIDS, zero mother to child  transmission, and zero stigma and discrimination,” she said. The walk started around 5 a.m. at the Dwight Yorke Stadium and concluded with a cool down session at the Store Bay Beach Facilities.

Source:trinidadexpress