BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC
A SENIOR regional health official has warned Caribbean governments that they can no longer ignore the issues of homosexuality and prostitution, as the region grapples with the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Dr. Bilali Camara, head of the Special Programme on Sexually Transmitted Infections of the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the regional leaders must address legislation, which prohibits the two practices.
He said that failure to do so could slow down efforts to reverse the spread of the virus.
"We cannot believe if we want to shape and to make sure that our fight will really be successful in the next few years, we will really need to tackle those issues seriously. Open your eyes, discuss and see how better as a region we can really answer those questions," he said.
BISEXUALITY ON THE INCREASE
Dr. Camara pointed to a recent study conducted in Trinidad and Tobago, which revealed that bisexuality was on the increase and stressed the need for special programmes to target vulnerable groups.
The study has revealed that at least 61 per cent of homosexuals also had sexual contact with a woman, with more than 50 per cent saying they had done so within the past 12 months. A further 21 per cent admitted having steady female partners.
"I believe it is important that if we really want to get this issue under control, to really look at the vulnerable groups, work with all of them to make sure they are getting the right message, making sure that they can protect themselves and making sure they are participating in the solution and they are really not part of the spread of this epidemic."
"If you really don't take care of those vulnerable groups, young people, men who have sex with men, or sex workers or people living with HIV/AIDS then we will miss the boat," Dr. Camara said.
