With an active summer season around the corner with the highly-anticipated Cricket World Cup matches and the raving carnival season, the Minister renews its calls for patrons to engage in safe sex.

“As Saint Lucia prepares to host the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup in June 2024 and Carnival 2024 with its associated activities and shows, the Ministry of Health would like to remind the general public of precautionary measures when engaging in sexual activities.”

According to the World Health Organisation, more than one million sexually transmitted infections are acquired every day worldwide, the majority of which have no signs or symptoms.

Dr Gajadhar reminds citizens that STIs may be transmitted from person-to-person through bodily fluids.

“A sexually transmitted infection may pass from person-to-person in blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids. Sometimes sexually transmitted infections are spread in ways other than sexual contact. For example, STIs can spread to infants during pregnancy or childbirth. STIs can also be spread through blood transfusions or shared needles,” she explained.

Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B&C do exist in Saint Lucia.

The Senior Medical Officer also cautions the public against being easily influenced or persuaded by peer pressure, adding that individuals have the right to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.