He has emerged as one of the chief advocates of HIV/AIDS patients, making the rounds worldwide to help African and Caribbean nations secure cheaper drugs and comprehensive health care for those who are living with the incurable disease.
On Friday, former United States President William Clinton will have a Bahamian audience for his planned address on the Challenges of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean, according to Bahamas government officials.
During his visit to The Bahamas, Mr. Clinton is scheduled to speak to a diverse audience of government and health officials and young people, meet with Prime Minister Perry Christie and tour the government’s AIDS clinic.
It is another step in the relations that health officials cemented last year with the Clinton Foundation which has devoted its attention to making sure that as much money and medicine reach as many people as possible.
“We were all quite surprised to learn that the Bahamas government has been spending in excess of $6 million annually on AIDS,” the Head of Infectious Diseases and Coordinator of the National AIDS Programme Dr. Perry Gomez said on Wednesday.
The AIDS Foundation of The Bahamas introduced the AZT intervention programme in 1995, providing critical medication and supplies to treat HIV-infected pregnant women in order to reduce the rate of mother to child transmission. The transmission rate initially fell from 30% in 1995 to just under 2% today.
Since 1997, the Government has provided AZT to HIV infected pregnant women free of charge. The treatment is continued after delivery, indefinitely.
President Clinton has mentioned how his associates have helped Bahamian authorities negotiate with drug companies to slash the cost of generic AIDS medications from $3,600 a year per patient to $500.
“That’s good for the Bahamas, but it’s a telling commentary on the lack of systems around the world,” he said. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Perry Christie flew to the United States to meet with Clinton and further discuss plans to help The Bahamas deal with the AIDS crisis.
“The Ministry of Health is honoured that the Clinton Foundation is supporting its initiative to expand access to comprehensive care and support for Bahamians living with HIV/AIDS,” the Minister of Health Senator Dr. Marcus Bethel said. “This is expected to benefit many Bahamian families and the country as a whole.”
Just recently, former President Clinton endorsed the American President’s George W. Bush’s strategy of spending $15 billion to combat AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean, but called for more of that money to be directed to the ailing Global AIDS Fund.
Mr. Clinton said the President’s proposal to increase annual AIDS grants in the two regions from $1 billion to $3 billion during a five year period represents a major advance in halting an epidemic that has killed millions of people in these regions.
UNAIDS estimates the prevalence of HIV infection in The Bahamas at 4%. The youth of our country is especially at risk as well as women and those engaged in dangerous sexual behaviour.
With around 500 HIV/AIDS infected persons treated with anti-retroviral drugs and thousands more who need the essential treatment, Bahamian medical experts are trying to secure even more funding from international organizations, according to Dr. Gomez.
There is a bigger number of almost 3000 who need treatment.
The region has secured $130 million in grants and pledges for HIV/AIDS research. In addition, the World Bank has made $150 million available in concessionary loans.
A 1998 study estimated that around $360 million is needed to tackle the problem of AIDS in the Caribbean region.
The Bahamas remains one of the most affected countries in the world.
The Bahama Journal
