JA receives millions for HIV/AIDS fight

Jamaica has received nearly US$30 million to assist in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The agreement was signed with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria during a Global Fund Regional Workshop which got underway in Montego Bay on Monday morning.

Accepting the money, Health Minister Ruddy Spencer noted that the agreement comes at a time when some 27,000 of the country's 2.7 million population, are living with HIV.

He says this is a prevalence rate of 1.6%.

Mr. Spencer is happy that Global Fund has decided to continue its partnership with Jamaica on a larger scale, which will see nearly 9,000 people receiving treatment and prevention for vulnerable groups.

Mr. Spencer adds that there is a compelling case to be made for countries such as Jamaica that experienced food, oil and financial crisis within the last three years to continue benefiting from the grants.

He notes that there is far more to be accomplished in eliminating stigma and discrimination and that partnership is required to stem this problem.

The workshop will be held over three days at the Rose Hall Resorts, with participation from countries such as Belize, Guyana, Haiti and Suriname.