By Denise Maycock

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

Free HIV testing was held in the Eight Mile Rock (EMR) community on Saturday as part of an education campaign encouraging residents to know their status and reduce the stigma.

On Saturday, June 21, the EMR clinic opened its doors to host Positive Impact, an initiative providing free HIV testing, education, and support in the fight against the virus.

The initiative, which is a major step towards HIV awareness and prevention, was held by the HIV/AIDS Survivors Benefit (HASB) in partnership with the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA).

“We are mandated to make sure the public is aware of their health status,” Tina Roberts, president of the HASB, said, urging Grand Bahamians to know their HIV status.

She said that efforts are underway in the Bahamas to meet the World Health Organization’s 2030 goal, a global target to end the AIDS epidemic by the year 2030.

According to the Ministry of Health, more than 4,500 people in The Bahamas are currently living with HIV, and roughly 80 new cases are diagnosed each year, according to the latest available data as of 2023.

Ms Roberts said education and accessible testing are the key to reducing spread and the stigma.

“We are doing an active role in making sure we make a paradigm shift in Grand Bahama, and that people know their status,” she said. “We elucidate education as well as ensure we reduce stigma and discrimination by educating them about the disease.”

The Positive Impact initiative, which was implemented two decades ago, was launched globally by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and continues to serve as a beacon of hope. In Grand Bahama, the movement aims to break the silence surrounding HIV by fostering conversation, encouraging testing, and delivering life-saving education.

“We reduce their fear of getting tested and living with AIDS and making sure we reduce transmission,” Ms Roberts said. “Educating persons about zero discordancy and zero concordancy… that they can live together.”

Marsha Hepburn, administrative manager for community health care clinics in the West Grand Bahama district, hailed the event as a powerful example of collaboration.

“This is an opportunity for PHA to partner with organisations to spread the word about knowing your HIV status,” she said. “In knowing your status, you can make informed decisions, especially as it relates to safe sex practices and high-risk situations like childbirth.”

She emphasised the importance of safe sex and encouraged condom use. She said life-altering consequences can result from untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

“Some STDs can have severe repercussions on your life forever. It can interfere with sterility, affecting your ability to have children, and affect the fetus,” she warned.

Verna Bonaby, a Distinguished Toastmaster of Toastmasters Rocky Shores, based in Pinedale, EMR, said the club has played a key role in spreading awareness about the event and used the opportunity as a way to give back to the community.

“People would hear about Toastmasters and say it is about speaking and leadership communication. And we want to expand that and do our part to give back to the community,” said Ms Bonaby.

“When people see familiar faces getting involved, it will encourage more to come out and be part of community events such as this,” she said.

Ms Roberts stressed that Positive Impact is a call for citizens to stand together, educate one another, and remove the shame often associated with HIV.