TCAAF Works with National HIV Prevention Unit
THE TURKS & CAICOS AIDS AWARENESS FOUNDATION (TCAAF) COMMITTED TO CONTINUING WORKS WITH THE NATIONAL HIV PREVENTION UNIT AND EMPOWERING THOSE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN THE TCI
The TCAAF is a non-profit organization founded in December of 2003 by a group of individuals who lost friends and/or family members to AIDS. The TCAAF is funded entirely through donations and the mission of the organization is to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS. In our belief, providing necessary community assistance and participation will affect positive lifestyle and behavioural changes. Through successful fundraising efforts such as our annual Jadot Cup Golf Tournament, “Surf and Turf” Horse Racing Night and our World AIDS Day Cocktail party, the TCAAF has been able to successfully build the Edward Gartland Youth Centre to arm our youths with information, skills training, counseling and the nurturing environment they need to make safe and healthy life choices.
In the fight against HIV/AIDS in the TCI, community support is critical and we are fortunate to live in a place with a strong and active community. In contributing to strengthen our community, the TCAAF supports the efforts of the Turks and Caicos National HIV Prevention Unit and will continue to work hand in hand to impact societal change, dispel myths, change lives and challenge prejudice.
The TCAAF understands that advancement in monitoring and treatment makes HIV/AIDS a manageable long-term condition and the PIMA analyzer is necessary in the monitoring phase. The PIMA Analyzer/CD4 Machine is an essential tool in providing an absolute CD4 count to those living with HIV/AIDS in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Consequently, purchasing the PIMA analyzer for the National HIV Prevention Unit became the primary mandate of the TCAAF.
The machine being the first of its kind in the TCI, eliminates the burden of the National HIV Prevention having to outsource CD4 count tests to other countries like the Bahamas. Funds previously utilised to outsource these tests can now be diverted to other essential aspects of fighting HIV. The CD4 Machine will be housed at and operated by the staff of the Primary Health Lab under the Ministry of Health and Human Services in Providenciales. The machine along with accessories will be used solely for the purpose of providing an effective and valuable tool for the health management of everyone living with HIV/AIDS throughout TCI. The increased local control will be an important opportunity for people living with HIV/AIDS to have health services of a high standard.
The TCAAF is committed to making the Turks and Caicos Islands a place where people living with HIV/AIDS have lives free from discrimination and prejudice. We are committed to continuing our works with the National HIV Prevention Unit. Most importantly, we are committed to empowering everyone living with HIV in the TCI, promoting awareness and maximising health and wellbeing by working to ensure the best possible HIV treatment and support services.