Opening Remarks at the Strengthening of HIV Prevention and Treatment Services in the Caribbean: Training on Motivational Interviewing (MI).
Good morning, colleagues, facilitators, and partners.
On behalf of the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), I warmly welcome you to this three-day training on Motivational Interviewing.
Our region has made significant progress in the HIV response. Yet, new infections persist, reminding us that we must intensify efforts to reach, retain, and support all those in need of prevention, treatment, and care services.
Motivational Interviewing provides us with practical tools to change the way we engage with people, shifting from telling them what to do to partnering with them on their own journey toward better health.
The recent learning exchange in Amsterdam confirmed the value of Motivational Interviewing for PrEP uptake, adherence, and re-engagement in care.
This training takes us further, helping you master these skills with real patients and peers.
I want to thank our partners, the University of Miami, PAHO, and the Global Fund, for their strong support. And I encourage you, participants, to fully immerse yourselves: practice, reflect, give feedback, and be open to change because the conversations you have after this workshop can save lives.
I wish you a productive and inspiring training.
Thank you.
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/