Newsline Health (March 11)

Recent news that an HIV-positive man in London `has been functionally cured of the disease has been welcomed by regional and international health officials.

In the Caribbean, public health officials say they are well on the way to achieving the 90-90-90 target – an ambitious goal for treatment for all, and ultimately end the AIDS epidemic.

But they say while the Caribbean is making progress in reducing the spread of HIV, not enough men are getting tested.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh lamented the fact at the PANCAP meeting of National AIDS Programme Managers and Key partners in Port of Spain on Monday.

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The Caribbean remains on alert for Dengue fever.

Reported Dengue deaths in Martinique have prompted neighbouring St Lucia to warn its citizens to take every precaution against the mosquito-borne illness, although officials have not seen an increase in Dengue cases.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Merlene Frederick-James says most of the population is under 30 years old and health officials are concerned as they have not been exposed to the disease.

Meanwhile in the Bahamas, the Red Cross has launched a Zika Prevention Project which aims to raise awareness of all mosquito-borne diseases.

March 14th will be observed as World Kidney Day.

An estimated 850 million people globally suffer from various kidney diseases.

This year’s theme is Kidney Health for everyone, everywhere.