Patrick Forde (centre), a paraplegic, is joined by two dancers during this lithurgical dance.

THE NATIONAL HIV/AIDS Commission will be implementing a national strategic plan for HIV prevention and control for 2008 to 2013.

This was revealed by Acting Minister of Family, Youth Affairs, Sports and the Environment Patrick Todd, as he delivered the feature address at the 25th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. It took place in Independence Square, The City, on Sunday evening and its theme was Never Give Up, Never Forget.

Todd said in a few weeks Parliament would debate Barbados' HIV policy regarding prevention and control.

"The importance of monitoring and evaluation are critical for the success of the Strategic Plan for HIV Prevention and Control.

"The National HIV/AIDS Commission has assured me that the National Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and Operational Plan approved by Cabinet in March this year will track the overall performance and impact of the National AIDS Programme," he said.

Todd explained that all partners involved in the implementation of the national strategic plan would be required to report on progress in their specific areas and receive feedback on the progress of the national AIDS programme within the framework set out by the National Monitoring and Evaluation system.

He said to achieve success and to meet programme goals, prevention strategies "will be scaled up, with all stakeholders working double time to ensure that the message of prevention is communicated to everyone in Barbados".

The minister pointed out that responding to HIV was a challenge and urged citizens to pool their resources and endeavour to deal with the pandemic in a productive way. (KB)