Vice President of the House of Hope Society Ronnie Daniel has thrown out a challenge to churches to “Step up …and do more where the issue of hospice care is concerned, especially for persons living with HIV/AIDS.”{{more}}

Daniel made the call on Saturday, November 20, as he read the president’s address at the Annual General Meeting of the House of Hope Society at the Methodist Church Hall.

The session was held under the theme: “Adjustment, Accommodation and Enlargement”.

Despite the widespread availability of resources and training in the area of stigma and discrimination, Daniel said that some churches here remain “unmoved” by the need to get involved in health education and advocacy work.

He further noted that this country is yet to see a co-ordinated response from the churches on HIV/AIDS and other life threatening diseases.

“Our dream at the House of Hope is to see this work enlarged, with the Church playing a prominent role,” he stressed.

Daniel also suggested that the House of Hope should consider a sensitisation and recruitment drive in churches for the next six months. He said this is necessary, given that there have been several changes in leadership at churches in recent times.

While the House of Hope is ready and willing to make hospice care work for all those who need it most, Daniel underscored the importance of having critical support from state agencies.

“If the work of the House of Hope is to be sustained for years to come, it has to necessarily have a cadre of volunteers that are not only well trained, but who understand and are committed to the ideal of caring for the whole person,” said Daniel.

The meeting also heard welcome remarks from President, Dr. Sylvanus Regisford. The CEO’s report was done by Anita Nanton, while Godfrey Samuel read the Treasurer’s report.

Executive Director of Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), Carl Browne, delivered the feature address.