THE MINISTRY OF Health and the University of the West Indies HIV/AIDS Response Programme (UWIHARP) are teaming up for tomorrow’s UWI carnival to warn students of the dangers of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
“We recognize that after carnival and other festive events, there is a lot of sexual activity,” said community health officer within the Ministry of Health’s HIV/AIDS programme, Sadé Leon-Folkes.
“So even though we may get ridiculed, we realize the importance of protection and prevention and it is on this premise we are presenting condoms – to ensure STIs are not transmitted.”
The condoms were distributed yesterday to members of the bands participating in the carnival at the Guild of Students.
The chairman of national affairs within the guild, Ziggy Marshall, said the carnival was growing every year and at least 1 500 participants in 16 bands were expected this time around. He said it was scheduled to start at the Bridgetown Port and end on the campus at Cave Hill. (CA)
Here, UWIHARP coordinator Carmeta Douglin (third left) and community health officer Sadé Leon-Folkes (second right) inspecting the condoms as members of the various UWI carnival bands look on. At right is the guild’s chairman of national affairs, Ziggy Marshall. (Picture by Nigel Browne.)
