THE Ministry of Health says it will soon be drafting a National HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy, through a tripartite body comprising the Government, the worker and employer.

But the health minister, John Junor, has said that for such a policy to be a reality, partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS needed to redouble their efforts.

"We need to wipe out workplace discrimination and the stigmatisation of children with HIV/AIDS. Stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV thrive where ignorance and fear dwell," Junor told this week's launch of the HIV/AIDS Demand Driven Sub-project (HADDS) Fund at the Hilton Kingston Hotel.

He said that people and communities created stigma and discrimination and urged that these negative attitudes including those of some health care workers needed to be addressed.

According to the health minister, despite the high level of HIV/AIDS knowledge, discrimination in the workplace and misconceptions abound, people feared HIV transmission via casual contact. This, he added, denied persons living with HIV/AIDS the right to work, when they are fit and capable to perform their job functions.

Junor also announced that five Government ministries have been mandated to have a focal point on HIV/AIDS. These ministries are: education, youth and culture; local government, community development and sport; industry and tourism; national security and labour and social security.

In addition, he said efforts were being made to utilise the expertise of non-governmental organisations, community-based and faith-based groups, as well as other agencies in the design and implementation of HIV/AIDS interventions.

He said many such groups are already involved through their own initiative and have enabled the HIV/STI Programme to reach poor, isolated communities and enhance grass roots participation.

Of the 6,549 AIDS cases reported in Jamaica between December 1982 and June 2002, 4,042 of the people have died.

Ministry figures also showed that HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections are the leading cause of death for women in the age group 20 to 29, while men over 50 years are said to be 2.5 times at a higher risk of HIV infection than women in the same age group.

Anita Baker gives the best she's got at St Lucia Jazz Fest

VP Records scoops up Mighty's Cornerstone

Two more parish queens crowned