Professionals from across Antigua and Barbuda's public and private sectors are this week sharpening their skills to better respond to HIV and other workplace health challenges through a five-day training programme hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda AIDS Secretariat.
The Professional Development Workshop, held at the Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre, brings together participants from a wide range of organisations. Its goal is to improve workplace responses to HIV, mental health, and related social issues while fostering more inclusive and supportive work environments.
Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs Michael Joseph addressed participants at the opening ceremony, noting that professionals often encounter people carrying burdens that are not immediately visible. He stressed the importance of recognising the impact that words and actions can have on others.
While medical advances have transformed HIV into a manageable chronic illness, the minister said stigma, fear, misinformation, and discrimination continue to prevent many people from accessing testing, treatment, and care. Ending HIV, he told participants, requires more than medical intervention — describing it as a shared social responsibility demanding empathy, understanding, and collaboration across every sector of society.
Joseph also underscored the importance of confidentiality, saying it extends beyond a professional obligation and represents a commitment to protecting every individual's dignity and privacy. He encouraged participants to apply knowledge gained during the workshop to help create workplaces where employees feel safe seeking support or disclosing concerns without fear of discrimination.
The programme's sessions cover HIV and AIDS, mental health, healthy relationships, sexually transmitted infections, confidentiality, stigma and discrimination, and substance abuse. Organisers say the training is designed to equip participants with practical tools to better support colleagues, clients, and members of the public.
AIDS Programme Manager Delcora Williams highlighted a concerning trend in the country's HIV response — a rise in infections among young people between the ages of 16 and 24. She urged individuals to know their HIV status through regular testing, emphasising that education, early diagnosis, and supportive workplaces remain essential to reducing new infections and improving health outcomes.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs Stacey Gregg-Paige also attended the opening ceremony.
The workshop reflects the AIDS Secretariat's ongoing efforts to strengthen the national HIV response by equipping professionals with the knowledge and confidence to address the issue with sensitivity, professionalism, and respect — and to help eliminate stigma in workplaces across Antigua and Barbuda.
