New HIV cases reduced – Ricketts

National Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Rickets

National Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Rickets has disclosed that Dominica has seen a reduction in the number of new HIV cases in the last two years.

Rickets, who spoke at the launch of a National Strategic Plan for Health last week, said that this outcome was achieved through a tremendous amount of HIV/AIDS response programs in Dominica over the last few years.

“Most of the cases are male, but also of note, is the fact that in the past two to three years we’ve seen a decline in the number of new cases. Now, it just so happens that the WHO or UNA’s have just released also a report that indicate worldwide that there’s a decline in HIV/AIDS cases, so lets see what happens there,” he said.

“And I think again, there has been a tremendous amount of work going on through national HIV /AIDS response programs and I believe we’re seeing results again from investments in health,” he stated.

Dr. Ricketts also noted that there has been a considerable decline in the number of babies who contracted the virus from mothers over the last 10 years.

“It is important to note that through the surveillance of pregnant women and the administration of the appropriate treatment we have been able to prevent HIV transmission to babies in the past 10 years. I think that is a tremendous achievement by Dominica,” he stated.

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8 Comments

  1. DID U ALL HEAR
    November 30, 2010

    good news for Dominica and i hope it stays that way!

  2. Eyes on Dominica
    November 30, 2010

    Hey people good news is no news at all…y’all sex addicts still need to put those rubbers on y’all. Better to be safe than never…sex is good but only when you’re covered.

  3. SPY
    November 29, 2010

    diversion ummm

  4. mouth of the south
    November 29, 2010

    yah we have to ‘rap it up’ cuz dat ting is too nice to die over eh

    • Mudd
      November 30, 2010

      first good comment mouth of the south has said in such a long time

  5. ...
    November 29, 2010

    Great News. God is good!

    • Anonymous
      November 29, 2010

      A reduction in the number of reported cases does not necessarily mean there is a reduction in the actual number of cases. There are people out there who are likely infected, knowingly or not, and who haven’t been tested or refuse to be. There is also a lot of stigma related to AIDS and HIV which would cause persons to not be forthcoming about their HIV status. Protection should be the order of the day

  6. Annonymous Reader
    November 29, 2010

    Thank you Jesus, and big up to everyone who made the conscious decision to “Rap it Up”

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