The AIDS virus is still very present, especially in Guyana. In the department, nearly 4,000 people are HIV positive. Some ignore it. On March 25, 26 and 27, 2022, Sidaction is organized. The opportunity to strengthen preventive actions in the fight against AIDS/HIV.
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From March 25 to 27, it’s the weekend of Sidaction. For three days, associations, media and other organizations are mobilizing to raise public awareness of the fight against Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is also an opportunity to make donations to organizations that serve this cause. The last two years, AIDS/HIV prevention has been overshadowed by the Covid-19 pandemic having spread since 2020.
In Guyana, nearly 4,000 people are living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As it evolves, this pathogen becomes AIDS. The Regional HIV Coordinating Committee (Corevih) believes that 10% of these people are unaware that they carry the virus. “About a third of these people have not been seen for consultation in the last twelve months”, adds the committee in the Pro Letter from the Regional Health Agency of March 22, 2022.
In 2021, there were 75 new HIV patients. The average age is 47 years old. 53% of those registered are women. Besides, 92 children were born to mothers living with HIV without being infected. Other figures: 24% of patients are detected at a late stage. To date, 53% of patients are at an advanced stage of the disease, i.e. the AIDS stage. However, there is 90% therapeutic success, according to the ARS. This represents the share of patients on treatment with an undetectable HIV viral load.
Several collections of donations and information stands will be set up in the coming days, on the occasion of Sidaction. Thursday, March 24, 2022, two collections are planned. One at the Rémire-Montjoly market, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., the other at the Tonate market, in Macouria, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. On Friday March 25, the public will be able to make donations by going to the market or to Super U, for Kourou and to Carrefour or to Family Plaza, for Matoury. That same day, at 7:00 p.m., an LGBT evening will be organized at the Hit Box, in Cayenne.
From Saturday March 26, the associations Actions for Development, Education and Research (Ader) and Entr’Aides will go to the Soula market, at the Cayenne market, at the farmers’ market (SupEco) and at the Family Plaza. The first stands mentioned will be present in the morning, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and that of Matoury will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Finally, on Sunday March 27, an information stand and collection of donations will be set up at the Matoury market, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Another solidarity action, an 8 km race by Entr’Aides and Yana Run. The start will be at the sports department of the town hall of Matoury, at 7:00 am.