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28 March 2025, Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), Georgetown, Guyana – The Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam) will host a transformative South-to-South Learning Exchange, uniting Caribbean public health leaders, clinicians, and civil society advocates with Dutch experts to advance HIV prevention and care for priority groups, from 31 March to 4 April, 2025. Supported by The Global Fund, PANCAP, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), this immersive event aims to strengthen HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention strategies across the Caribbean by fostering knowledge-sharing, innovation, and cross-regional partnerships.

Key Focus Areas 

The exchange will spotlight GGD Amsterdam’s pioneering models in Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), including Long-Acting PrEP, HIV testing, Doxy PEP, transgender care, and the integration of AI and technology into service delivery. Participants from Barbados, Belize, The Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago will engage in the following:

• Site Visits: To explore GGD Amsterdam’s clinics to observe intake systems, STI/HIV testing protocols, and partnerships with local organisations providing HIV services.
• Innovation Workshops: To learn how Artificial Intelligence (AI), other Integrated Communication Technologies (ICTs), and data-driven strategies enhance HIV prevention.
• Vision Board Development: To collaborate on country-specific action plans to address gaps in PrEP rollout, stigma reduction, and equitable service delivery.

Expert Leadership

Professor Dr. Henry de Vries, a leading expert in STI/HIV epidemiology with over 30 years of experience, will guide technical discussions alongside GGD Amsterdam’s team. Participants will also meet with GGD Amsterdam’s leadership and technical staff to gain an understanding of patient flow and the organisation of clinical and community outreach services. They will also interact with GGD Amsterdam’s partners to gain insight into their collaboration and partnership models.

Building Sustainable Networks

Participants will draft actionable work plans to strengthen national HIV programs, with a sharp focus on:

1. Scaling up access to PrEP and nPEP.
2. Enhancing collaboration with civil society groups.
3. Integrating viral hepatitis and HPV care into HIV services.

“This South-to-South exchange will empower participants to absorb GGD Amsterdam’s proven strategies – from AI-driven service delivery to equitable PrEP access – while fostering hands-on learning in transgender care, STI integration, and community-led partnerships,” said Dr. Shanti Singh Anthony, Coordinator, Knowledge Management at the PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU). “This is not just knowledge transfer—it’s about building lasting partnerships in the global fight against HIV,” she added.

“Empowering Caribbean leaders with Amsterdam’s proven strategies will undoubtedly help to fast-track our region’s progress toward ending AIDS,” said Dr. Wendy Telgt Emanuelson, Director, PCU. “This exchange presents a unique opportunity to bridge Amsterdam’s expertise with the Caribbean’s resilience, catalysing progress across our region in ending AIDS as a public health threat,” added Dr. Telgt Emanuelson.

Following the event, PANCAP will conduct follow-up assessments with participants at three- and six-month intervals to evaluate implementation.

PANCAP thanks The Global Fund, PAHO, GGD Amsterdam and other key partners for their support of this knowledge-sharing initiative.

ENDS

About The Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam): GDD Amsterdam is a leader in public health innovation. GGD Amsterdam manages one of Europe’s largest HIV cohorts and delivers targeted services to key populations, including MSM, transgender individuals, and sex workers.

Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 19 March 2025 — The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) successfully convened its Ninth Meeting of National AIDS Programme Managers and Key Partners from across the Caribbean region in Trinidad and Tobago this week.

The high-level gathering brought together policymakers, health experts, civil society leaders, and international development partners to accelerate progress toward ending the HIV epidemic through shared strategies, actionable commitments, and strengthened regional collaboration.

Participants engaged in dynamic discussions on scaling up testing and treatment access, reducing stigma and discrimination, and integrating innovative data-driven approaches into public health strategies. Key outcomes included renewed pledges to mobilize domestic funding, enhance the resilience of the health systems, and prioritize community-led initiatives to reach vulnerable populations.

Key Outcomes and Next Steps

Integration: 

A sharp focus was placed on integrating HIV services into the broader regional public health system to enhance service delivery by fostering efficiency, accessibility, and holistic care.

Participants agreed that by embedding HIV testing, treatment, and prevention within routine health services—such as maternal health clinics, primary care, or tuberculosis programmes—health systems will be able to reduce duplication of resources, lower costs, and streamline patient experiences. This approach diminishes stigma, as individuals access HIV care alongside other health needs, encouraging earlier diagnosis and treatment adherence.

Placing adolescent health at the centre of the regional HIV response:

Focus was also placed on integrating adolescent-centred care into the national sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programmes, which is critical to addressing the dual challenges of adolescent health disparities and the HIV epidemic in the Caribbean.

It was noted that adolescents in the region face heightened vulnerabilities due to limited access to youth-friendly SRH services, pervasive stigma, and socio-cultural barriers that deter help-seeking behaviours. With the Caribbean maintaining one of the world’s highest HIV prevalence rates outside sub-Saharan Africa, tailored interventions—such as comprehensive sexuality education, confidential HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and antiretroviral therapy access—are essential to curb HIV transmission and improve outcomes among adolescents.

Addressing other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs):

Participants discussed the urgent need for Caribbean health leaders to place greater emphasis on the growing threat of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) beyond HIV, particularly syphilis, which has seen concerning resurgences in the region.

While strides in HIV prevention are commendable, participants observed that inadequate attention to syphilis and other STIs risks reversing progress, as untreated infections can lead to severe complications, neonatal mortality, and heightened HIV transmission risks. Participants agreed that by crafting inclusive policies or refining current strategies to prioritise these infections, leaders can safeguard vulnerable populations, reduce long-term healthcare burdens, and align with global health equity goals.

The new Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework:

PANCAP is currently engaged in comprehensive consultations to develop the new Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF), a pivotal initiative that aims to guide the HIV response through 2030. These consultations bring together governments, civil society organisations, healthcare providers, technical partners, such as the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and donor agencies like The Global Fund, to ensure a collaborative and inclusive approach.

The framework aims to integrate innovative solutions, such as PrEP and community-led interventions, while aligning with global targets, including Sustainable Development Goal 3, to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat.

PANCAP reaffirmed its dedication to sustaining momentum through regular progress reviews and enhanced technical support to member countries. The meeting closed with a collective resolve to prioritise equity, human rights, and multi-sectoral cooperation as pillars of the Caribbean’s HIV response.

PANCAP sincerely thanks the CARICOM Secretariat, The Global Fund, UNAIDS, PAHO, and other partners for their support of the Ninth Meeting of National AIDS Programme Managers and Key Partners.

ENDS 

Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 18 March 2025 – The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) today launched its Ninth Annual Meeting of National AIDS Programme Managers, uniting policymakers, civil society organizations, development partners, and advocates in a bold convergence of strategy and solidarity.

Against the backdrop of shared challenges and triumphs, delegates from across the region gathered to reimagine the future of the regional HIV response, driven by a unified mission: to fast-track progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. With innovation, data-driven solutions, and community empowerment at the forefront, the opening ceremony underscored the Caribbean’s unwavering resolve to turn the tide on inequities and write a new chapter in the fight against HIV.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Shanti Singh Anthony, Coordinator of Knowledge Management, PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU), noted that this year we are taking stock of our 95-95-95 targets and recalibrating towards the goal of ending AIDS by 2030. “At 85-83-87, our deliberations over the next two days will focus on the successes in the Region; but moreover, we must be laser-focused on strategies to address the challenges and gaps. We will discuss approaches to scale up successful evidence-based innovations and introduce newer prevention and treatment tools, such as long-acting injectables for PrEP and point-of-care diagnosis for HIV treatment monitoring and the diagnosis of opportunistic infections,” she added.

Recognizing the challenges that lie ahead as the Caribbean moves forward to meeting the 2030 HIV prevention targets, Dr. Wendy Telgt Emanuleson, Director, PCU, charged participants to explore innovative local solutions to alleviate the impacts of the paucity of international donor funding on regional HIV programming.  “I am aware that, given the uncertainty of the donor funding platform alongside a clear and present need for programme continuation and scale-up in some instances, the road ahead may seem endless. Therefore, it is essential to utilize this opportunity to encourage each of us, as a partnership, to explore homegrown, domestically-owned solutions which will enable us to bring our creativity and renewed spirit to bear, allowing us to rise to the occasion, just as we have done before.”

Ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV and AIDS was the clarion call of Dr. Dale Babb, Senior Medical Officer of Health responsible for HIV /AIDS in Barbados. “Together, we are working towards very ambitious international targets. Targets that demand innovation, collaboration, and a relentless focus on equity. We need to ensure that no one is left behind and that everyone, no matter where they live, what they look like, or their circumstances, can access the services they need,” Dr. Babb emphasized.

Mr. Ivan Cruickshank, Executive Director of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition, emphasized the vital role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the regional HIV response. “Civil society and communities remain key to the HIV response, especially in reaching our key and affected populations, offering not only services but also hope, dignity, and empowerment.” He added, “It is through strong collaborative efforts across partners that we will have the best chance of reaching our goal of ending AIDS in our lifetime. Changing donor priorities have revealed the vulnerability of CSOs across the region, with several having to scale back or close operations due to their reliance on external funding. If this issue is not addressed, our national programmes stand to lose significant gains.”

Dr. Armstrong Alexis, Deputy Secretary-General, CARICOM Secretariat, in his remarks, recognized the remarkable strides the Caribbean has made against HIV, achieving significant milestones such as reducing transmission rates, expanding access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy and pioneering early efforts to reduce and, in some cases, eliminate mother-to-child transmission. He noted that despite the numerous persistent challenges, the Caribbean people must prevail in the march towards an AIDS-free Caribbean.

“At the CARICOM Secretariat, we recognise that the work you do is at the heart of our Region’s development agenda. Health, equity, and resilience are not just aspirations; they are the foundation of a stronger, more sustainable Caribbean.  While the road to achieving our targets may not always be smooth, the CARICOM Secretariat remains steadfast in its support to each of you, to each Member State, and to the communities we serve together,” Dr. Alexis stated.

Delivering the feature address was the Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health of Trinidad and Tobago, who outlined his country’s progress and strategies in combating HIV alongside regional calls to action for the Caribbean.

The Minister charged participants to explore sustainable investments in HIV programmes, further reduce stigma, foster better collaboration, and leverage emerging technologies. “According to data from PANCAP, the most recent cascade for the Caribbean is 85-83-87. In addition, we have had a 22% reduction in new HIV infections from 2010 to the present. The Caribbean has always been stronger together. Now, more than ever, we must work as a unified region to achieve our shared goal of ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030. It is my hope that we can address the following: 1. Strengthen Surveillance & Data Sharing – A regional database to monitor programmatic data, including drug resistance trends and treatment gaps, and 2. Standardised Clinical Practice Guidelines – Utilising the WHO Frameworks as a Benchmark.

As the opening ceremony drew to a close, the energy in Port of Spain mirrored the Caribbean’s collective heartbeat—resilient, hopeful, and unyielding. With bold pledges to amplify prevention, dismantle stigma, and ensure equitable access to care, the meeting’s opening day set a transformative tone. As stakeholders prepare for two days of intensive dialogue, one message rings clear: the Caribbean is not merely striving to meet targets—it is forging a legacy of health justice for generations to come.

ENDS

February 27, 2025, Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana – The Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) is pleased to announce the Ninth Meeting of National AIDS Program (NAP) Managers and Key Partners, scheduled to take place from March 17 to 19, 2025, in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

This pivotal event will bring NAP managers, regional health officials, civil society representatives, international partners, and key stakeholders to evaluate progress, address gaps, foster innovation, build capacity, and strengthen partnerships to advance sustainable and impactful HIV responses in the Caribbean.

The meeting will focus on critical areas such as advancing HIV prevention, treatment, and care strategies, addressing persistent challenges in the regional HIV response, leveraging innovative technologies and approaches to improve health outcomes, and strengthening partnerships to ensure a sustainable and inclusive response.

Dr. Shanti Singh Anthony, Coordinator, Knowledge Management, PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU), stated, “Once again, we provide a unique platform for NAP Managers, policymakers, civil society organizations, and international partners to meet and exchange knowledge, build capacity, align efforts, share insights, and develop actionable strategies to achieve a more coordinated and coherent regional HIV response.”

Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit, Dr. Wendy Telgt Emanuelson added, “While the Caribbean is making commendable strides towards achieving the 95-95-95 prevention targets, some gaps and challenges threaten the sustainability of the progress. As international donor funding diminishes, the urgency to transition to sustainable, locally-driven solutions has never been greater.” She also emphasized, “Now is the time for regional governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, stakeholders and communities to unite and invest in resilient health systems and prioritize long-term strategies that ensure no one is left behind.”

The PCU recognizes and thanks the CARICOM Secretariat, The Global Fund, and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) for supporting the Ninth Meeting of National AIDS Program (NAP) Managers and Key Partners.

ENDS

Sunday, 3 November 2024 (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown): Bridging the gap between new HIV science and providing quality service delivery to communities is the focus of the regional workshop titled “Uniting Science and Communities to Accelerate HIV Response in the Caribbean”, which will be hosted in Trinidad and Tobago, 4-5 November.

The International AIDS Society (IAS) and the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) are leading the initiative in collaboration with The Global Fund, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Plataforma LAC.

The workshop aims to provide a platform for HIV-related health and social service providers, key community actors, youth, researchers, government representatives and policymakers to brainstorm bridging the gap between evidence-based science, policy and action.

“The goal is to create a roadmap for aligning new HIV science and evidence with how we deliver HIV-related services in our communities,” says Dr Wendy Telgt-Emanuelson, Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit based at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat. “Groundbreaking HIV data and evidence emerged from AIDS 2024 – the 25^th International AIDS Conference.  This has implications for policymakers and HIV service providers in the Caribbean.  Our Region cannot be left behind.  Our stakeholders must be empowered to use the evidence to create innovative solutions to the HIV service delivery gaps and challenges we experience in the Region.  The workshop seeks to provide this level of knowledge-sharing and empowerment,” added the PANCAP Director.

The workshop’s agenda includes an in-depth discussion of the key messages from the 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024) and their application to the Caribbean, translating the science and knowledge of advanced HIV disease into action so that people living with HIV can access a comprehensive package of services. The workshop will also address HIV-related stigma and discrimination, focusing on the normalising of HIV-related services and integrating services to address intersecting healthcare needs.

This meeting of critical HIV stakeholders supports developing and implementing policies and strategies to improve the delivery of health services that reflect the latest HIV scientific evidence tailored to communities and the unique circumstances and needs of the People of the Caribbean Community.

-ENDS –

What is PANCAP?

PANCAP is a Caribbean regional partnership of governments, regional civil society organisations, regional institutions and organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies and contributing donor partners established on 14 February 2001.  PANCAP provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic and coordinates the response through the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS to maximise efficient use of resources and increase impact, mobilise resources and build the capacity of partners.

What are the Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026 targets and commitments?

If targets and commitments in the strategy are achieved:

• The number of people who newly acquire HIV will decrease from 1.7 million in 2019 to less than 370 000 by 2025

• The number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses will decrease from 690,000 in 2019 to less than 250,000 in 2025.

• The goal of eliminating new HIV infections among children will see the number of new HIV infections drop from 150,000 in 2019 to less than 22,000 in 2025.

What are the 95-95-95 Targets for ending AIDS?

• 95% of People Living with HIV know their HIV status;
• 95% of people who know their status on treatment; and
• 95% of people on treatment with suppressed viral loads.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026, End Inequalities, End AIDS
https://pancap.org/pancap-documents/global-aids-strategy-2021-2026-end-inequalities-end-aids/

Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS (CRSF) 2019-2025
https://pancap.org/pancap-documents/caribbean-regional-strategic-framework-2019-2025/

Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), Georgetown, July 10, 2024 – Ensuring the availability of sustainable financing for HIV programmes remains a critical element of the regional HIV response. In this regard, the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), recently convened a workshop on Strengthening Sustainable Financing for HIV Programmes, in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago during the period July 8-9, 2024.

The primary aims of this workshop were to (1) Build capacity and foster commitment towards sustainable financing for HIV programmes, and (2) Catalyse efforts towards sustainable financing for HIV programmes through resource mobilization and social contracting.

The Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU), Dr Wendy Telgt Emanuelson encouraged participants to openly share ideas and collectively explore innovative solutions towards achieving sustainable financing for regional HIV programmes. “Share your experiences, and explore potential partnerships for collaborative action, so that together we can create a future where all individuals affected by HIV and AIDS have equitable access to quality services and support,” she emphasised.

Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Ayana Webster-Roy, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for the National AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC), was the Technical Director of the NACC, Dr Ayanna Sebro. Dr Sebro highlighted that as countries strive to end AIDS by 2030, there is an urgent need to scale up their respective responses which require funding interventions to close many of the remaining gaps.

“New sources of funding are required to ensure the existing programmes are sustainable, and even more importantly, that they reach more people,” Dr. Sebro underscored. “Sustainable financing is achievable through proper strategising and planning, along with a collaborative multi-sectoral approach with stakeholders. From Government to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), from policymakers to service delivery officers, from academics to the private sector, all sectors, all key populations, at all levels must collaborate to optimise, minimise duplication and be more efficient, and work smarter,” she added.

During the two-day workshop, experts in Health financing delivered interactive presentations on key concepts such as The Caribbean Economic Landscape, Understanding the Landscape of Community-Led Initiatives and HIV Financing in the Context of the Caribbean Reality. Best practices, case studies, and the practical use of resource mobilization to enable the sustainability of the HIV Response were also shared with participants. Panel discussions comprising government officials, CSO representatives and policymakers examined the challenges and successes experienced by   HIV programmes via various modalities of financing.

PANCAP will continue to engage its partners in exploring and supporting investment strategies, national policies, and regulatory frameworks to strengthen sustainable financing for HIV programmes throughout the Latin American and Caribbean regions.

National AIDS Programme Managers, representatives from regional civil society organisations, donor agencies, government representatives and technical partners from across the region participated in the workshop. PANCAP sincerely thanks the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and The Global Fund for making this workshop possible.

Friday, 14 June 2024, (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat): The Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) had the honour of hosting Dr. Meg Doherty, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director for Global HIV, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Dr. Doherty’s visit to Guyana, part of her Caribbean tour from June 12-14, 2024, was aimed at strengthening collaborations in the region’s health sector.

During the meeting, Dr. Doherty expressed her enthusiasm for understanding PANCAP’s work more deeply and exploring avenues for future collaborations. She highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in addressing public health challenges and emphasized the WHO’s commitment to supporting the region through collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The Director of PANCAP, Dr. Wendy Telgt Emanuelson, provided an overview of PANCAP and its initiatives, including testimonials from partners who have worked with PANCAP. This was followed by Dr. Shanti Singh-Anthony’s presentation on strategies used to strengthen the region’s response to managing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The meeting focused on identifying opportunities to integrate Viral Hepatitis and STIs into the regional HIV agenda, aiming to formulate strategies to eliminate these diseases as public health threats, in alignment with global health goals.

The discussions covered various methods to seamlessly integrate Viral Hepatitis and STIs management into existing HIV programs and the development of comprehensive health strategies that address multiple diseases simultaneously for more effective public health outcomes.

The visit of Dr. Meg Doherty to PANCAP was highly productive and underscored the value of regional and international collaboration in public health. The discussions laid a strong foundation for future partnerships aimed at integrating Viral Hepatitis and STIs into the regional HIV agenda. This collaborative effort is expected to significantly contribute to the elimination of these diseases as public health threats in the Caribbean. The discussions were also very timely as PANCAP prepares for the development of its new Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF), which will include strategies proven to be successful in reaching the 95-95-95 targets set for 2030.

The WHO delegation, led by Dr. Meg Doherty, included Monica Alonso, Unit Chief of the HIV/STI & VH Unit at PAHO Washington DC; Carlos Cisneros, Technical Officer for Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships, and Country Support at WHO; and Sandra Jones, Advisor for HIV/STI, VH, and TB at the PAHO/WHO Caribbean Office.

Accompanying Dr. Wendy Telgt Emanuelson were Dr. Shanti Singh-Anthony, Coordinator of Knowledge Management (PCU); Dr. Shellon Bovell, Project Manager for the Office of the Principal Recipient, Global Fund – CARICOM Secretariat; and Mr. Collin Kirton, Senior Accountant (PCU).

Tuesday, 7 May 2024, (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat): The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic hosted a certificate award ceremony on Friday, May 3, 2024, at the Ministry of Health (Guyana) Boardroom. This event was for participants who completed modules of the University of Washington’s Global Health E-Learning Programme (eDGH). This programme is being facilitated by the PANCAP Knowledge Management Project, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Knowledge Management Coordinator – PCU, Dr. Shanti Singh Anthony chaired the proceedings and provided welcoming remarks. She recognised the intrinsic partnership between PANCAP, the University of Washington, the Ministry of Health, and USAID, and congratulated the awardees on their tenacity and commitment to completing the modules. Dr. Singh-Anthony urged them to continue to take advantage of additional training opportunities being offered by PANCAP.

In delivering remarks at the ceremony, the Director – PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU), Dr Wendy Telgt Emanuelson thanked the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for their support in making the programme possible and highlighted Guyana’s high level of interest and participation in the programme.

Chargé d’Affaires, United States Embassy, Georgetown, Ms Adrienne Galanek shared how honoured she was to celebrate the great work being done by PANCAP – which she underscored has also been an exemplary partner with the United States Government’s President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

In referencing the positive impact of PANCAP’s knowledge management project in capacity building among health care professionals in the region, Ms Galanek pointed out, “In the last year alone, over 2,000 health care professionals were trained through PANCAP, and approximately 10,000 over the past 5 years. Ensuring that thousands of healthcare professionals are using the most recent, highest-quality practices has been tremendously impactful.”

She congratulated the graduating cohort and urged them to apply the knowledge and skills gained through the programme in their respective areas of operation.

Representing the CARICOM Secretariat was the Director, Human Development, Directorate of Human and Social Development, Ms Helen Royer. She noted that the Global Health E-Learning Programme (eDGH) with the University of Washington was initiated in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when USAID supported a cohort of 20 HIV clinical professionals who completed a ten-week online HIV clinical management course with the university. She said the resounding success of this programme led to further funding from USAID in this capacity-building model.

“As of the end of December 2023, 11 cohorts with 499 persons completed a variety of courses with the University of Washington. These participants included Programme Managers, Public Health practitioners, and health care workers from the Public, Private, and Civil Society Sectors from 15 CARICOM countries,” Ms Royer stated.

The Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, delivered the feature address. He congratulated the graduates and charged them to continue to utilise every opportunity available to engage in continuous professional development. He stressed the importance of medical professionals constantly upgrading their knowledge base to ensure they are delivering cutting-edge service to their clients. “Because of the quality of service we deliver and the kind of organisation that we represent, we must keep ourselves updated constantly so that we would not have problems. Those of you in clinical medicine will know that if you are not diligently keeping abreast, you will be outdated,” the Minister said.

Outlining the overall transformative work being done within the Ministry of Health, Dr Anthony urged the graduates to be inspired agents of change in their respective fields of work. “Wherever you are located in the ministry, you must feel empowered so that you can facilitate change at your level so that we can see improvement.”

Two participants, Dr Cherith James, and Dr Vikesh Bissoon, provided reflections on their time during the programme and shared how the experience and the knowledge gained significantly improved their ability to function with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Through this strategic partnership, healthcare professionals are provided with opportunities to equip themselves with the latest knowledge, skills, and abilities to deliver exceptional patient care and address emerging challenges, while engaging in continuous professional development. The knowledge gained from these modules will certainly serve to elevate the proficiency of those who participated, reinforcing their capacity to provide outstanding healthcare services of the highest quality.

Tuesday, 02 April 2024, (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat): The Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, held a Knowledge Share Fair and capacity building forum on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The primary objectives of this event were to understand the importance, relevance, and advantages of multi-disease strategic plans, enhance the understanding of the integration of services for greater efficiency in service delivery and the reduction of stigma and discrimination, and strengthen the networking between National AIDS Programme (NAP) Managers and Civil Society Organisations (CSO).

This Knowledge Share Fair provided participants with excellent opportunities, through a series of multi-country working group sessions, to foster greater networking, collaboration and problem-solving to strengthen integration. The participants identified key priorities for the integration of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis B and C and Tuberculosis at the national level.

Knowledge Management Coordinator for the PANCAP Knowledge for Health Project, Dr. Shanti Singh-Anthony was pleased with the overwhelming participation of attendees and charged them to take the knowledge gained from this Knowledge Share Fair back to their respective jurisdictions and apply it strategically to achieve successful results. “I am heartened by the participation and involvement of all the attendees and the spirited exchanges we’ve had during this Knowledge Share Fair. Much information was exchanged and I would like to see much of what was learnt here today taken back and implemented as a means to buttress the respective national programmes across the region.”

Dr Singh-Anthony also expressed her sincere gratitude to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for funding the PANCAP Knowledge Management Project and the Share Fair. She also thanked the Pan-American Health Organization for providing technical support in the planning and implementing of the Share Fair, as well as The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS.

Friday, 22 March 2024, (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat): The Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, concluded the Eighth Meeting of National AIDS Programme (NAP) Managers and Key Partners in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

After two days of intense deliberations, participants explored various strategies to be utilised in scaling up their work on HIV and other STIs in their respective countries. Stronger coordination and better collaboration within and among governments, key stakeholders and partners, inclusive of civil society organizations must stimulate greater emphasis on relevant and accurate data collection as it relates to HIV and other diseases.

Discussions also revolved around scaling up HIV self-testing throughout the region, so that countries can reach their prevention targets with greater efficiency. HIV self-testing (HIVST) has shifted the paradigm for HIV testing, the first step in the care continuum. Through concerted regional efforts, the scale-up of HIVST will result in substantial progress in HIV testing, prevention, and care, and can result in countries conquering the first 95 in the prevention targets, in which people living with HIV (PLHIV) know their status.

The meeting further spotlighted the urgent need for the examination of the various national and regional policies and programme responses as it relates to HIV treatment and care, to reflect a person-centred differentiated model of care. Utilising the person-centred approach that simplifies and adapts HIV services across the cascade in ways that both serve the needs of people living with or vulnerable to HIV, can reduce unnecessary burdens on the health system within the region. Greater emphasis on person-centred care where the individual matters and not their designation must be paramount. There were discussions on the strengthening of efforts to shift diagnostics away from healthcare facilities. It was also proffered that sustainable systems for community-based delivery and expanding access to person-centred treatment and prevention services must be developed more broadly.

There were also discussions on the need for major emphasis to be placed on how children are treated within the general HIV response. Moreover, there must be more strategic efforts at anchoring the treatment of children into the various Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programmes available.

Increased use of ICTs must form part of the overarching regional HIV response, enabling advocacy, mobilization, and empowerment of people living with HIV (PLHIV), women, and other vulnerable groups. The use of certain ICT platforms reduces costs and can potentially reach people on a more targeted level. The use of telemedicine was also discussed as a means of accessing hard-to-reach communities that may pose a challenge to other forms of ICTs.

The need for strong, cohesive community responses was also ventilated during the meeting. To provide much-needed support to national HIV responses, there must be a heightened role for communities to play. These communities must have a more defining role not only in HIV but also in health generally.

Policymakers, programme managers, representatives of civil society organisations, the community of people living with HIV and those at highest risk for HIV attended the two-day meeting.

Knowledge Management Coordinator, Dr. Shanti Singh-Anthony thanked the planning committee and the staff of the PCU for their assistance in planning and organizing the meeting – the first since COVID.

Director of the PCU, Dr. Wendy Telgt Emanuelson thanked all the participants for attending and providing insightful input towards the many discussions held, and underscored the commitment of the PCU to assist countries in implementing the key takeaways from the discussions, ensuring tangible progress in addressing HIV/AIDS in the region. She also thanked The Global Fund, the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS),  and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID for their unstinting support in making this meeting a reality.