Health Minister Clears Up Confusion Surrounding S.T.I. Statistics

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – According to that data, there was a 9.6 percent increase in services for sexually transmitted infections, including a 44 percent increase in HIV cases.

The figures have become the center of conversation, but Health Minister Dr. Michael Darville says there is a misunderstanding that needs to be cleared up.

Dr. Michael Darville – Minister, Health and Wellness

“What NHI was saying is that individuals who have sexually transmitted diseases and are now utilizing the primary healthcare component of NHI, the reporting agencies for STDs, HIV and other infectious diseases come by way of my ministry, the Department of Public Health, in collaboration with infectious disease specialists.”

Darville also explained that utilization was the main focus of the report, which he says is a positive development.

Dr. Michael Darville – Minister, Health and Wellness

“It means now that individuals who are exposed to an STD, most of whom are already known in the system, can access services by way of NHI. In a couple of weeks, you will hear more as it relates to where we are with our numbers.”

So what exactly is the reporting mechanism?

Dr. Michael Darville – Minister, Health and Wellness

“That is via a special unit in the Ministry of Health where we do all of the statistical analysis, cleaning up the data, and reporting not only locally but for our international obligations as well.”

Dr. Darville added that updated figures will be released in the coming weeks by the Department of Public Health.