Professionals from across Antigua and Barbuda’s public and private sectors are spending this week sharpening their skills to better respond to HIV and other workplace health issues through a five-day training programme hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda AIDS Secretariat.

The Professional Development Workshop, being held at the Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre, brings together participants from a wide range of organizations with the goal of improving workplace responses to HIV, mental health, and other related social issues while fostering more inclusive and supportive work environments.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs Michael Joseph said professionals often encounter people carrying burdens that are not immediately visible and must recognize the impact their 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.

He told participants that ending HIV requires more than medical intervention, describing it as a shared social responsibility that demands empathy, understanding, and collaboration across every sector of society.

Joseph also emphasized 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 use the knowledge gained during the workshop to help create workplaces where employees feel safe seeking support or disclosing concerns without fear of discrimination.

The week-long programme includes sessions on HIV and AIDS, mental health, healthy relationships, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), confidentiality, stigma and discrimination, and substance abuse. Organizers say the training is intended to provide participants with practical tools to better support colleagues, clients, and members of the public.

AIDS Programme Manager Delcora Williams highlighted what she described as a concerning trend in the country’s HIV response, noting an increase in infections among young people between the ages of 16 and 24.

She encouraged individuals to know their HIV status through regular testing, stressing 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 was also in attendance for the opening ceremony.

The workshop reflects the AIDS Secretariat’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the national response to HIV by equipping professionals with the knowledge and confidence to address the issue with sensitivity, professionalism, and respect while helping to eliminate stigma in workplaces across Antigua and Barbuda.