T&T Red Cross for television panel discussion on HIV and AIDS

The panel discussion, to take place December 14 from 2 to 4 p.m., will be broadcast on local television station NCC Channel 4 under the theme “Empowering Youth to Understand Why Parents Matter”.

The panelists will be Akeisha Benjamin, HIV/AIDS program coordinator at the TTRC and a member of the current executive of CARAN;  Svenn Mikki Grant of the local YMCA, and Patsy Chang of the Trinidad & Tobago Family Planning Association.  NCC Channel 4’s John Victor will be the moderator.

The panel discussion is part of the Red Cross’ continued observance of World AIDS Day and has been arranged with parents and youth as focal points.

Head of the TTRCS Health department Ms Margarita Elliot said “Our society in Trinidad and Tobago is not an environment where one addresses the rights of children very often. You see children working, hear stories about child abuse, yet we do not address parenting very often. With this panel discussion we wish to reach out to the youth – the future parents – and let them hear how different sections of society view parenting as it pertains to the prevention of HIV and AIDS.”

Since November, the TTRCS has raised the issue of HIV and AIDS through a number of events, from “palm printing” at primary schools in South Trinidad, to a World AIDS Day parade with Red Cross Youth Links through the streets of main town of Arima in East Trinidad.