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The Antiguan Herald（https://www.antiguanherald.com/）
Antigua and Barbuda's Newspaper of Record
July 21, 2026
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AIDS Secretariat Launches Week-Long HIV Workplace Training for Public and Private Sector Professionals
July 20, 2026 at 05:40 PM
By Editorial Staff
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.