Press Release – Page 11

Key Population and Faith Leaders to engage in dialogue on Reducing Stigma and Discrimination at Caribbean Regional Consultation on the Right to Health and Well being for all

Friday, February 2 2018 (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, in collaboration with the Regional Consultative Steering Committee for the Implementation of Recommendations to end AIDS by 2030 will convene the Caribbean Regional Consultation of Key Populations and Religious Leaders on the Right to Health and Wellbeing for All in Paramaribo, Suriname, February 7- 9, 2018.

The purpose of the consultation is to cultivate respectful and productive dialogue between faith leaders and key populations including sex workers, the LGBT community, the transgender community and other stakeholders. Forty participants will attend.

The three-day event will include highly interactive discussions on the gaps in the Treatment and Prevention of HIV with emphasis on access to data in order to address the prospects and requirements for achieving 90-90-90 targets by 2020; prevention gaps with special reference to public education and reducing stigma and discrimination faced by key populations.

The consultation will also seek to establish a mechanism for enhancing partnerships between the key populations and religious groups; articulate clearly the major determinants of stigma and discrimination and the requirements for the Partnership to remove these barriers. The promotion of a viable legislative environment with regard to human rights, human sexuality and human dignity will also engage the attention of participants.

According to Director of PANCAP, Mr Dereck Springer, “the consultation is the first of its kind, and is one of the 15 actionable recommendations stated in the Declaration of the PANCAP Consultation of Caribbean Religious Leaders held in Trinidad and Tobago, 1-2 February 2017”. The Director further explained that the joint forum will create an ideal space for faith leaders and key populations to discuss ways of collaborating to reduce AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.

Chair of the Regional Consultative Steering Committee for the Implementation of Recommendations to end AIDS by 2030, Canon Garth Minott underscored the critical need for religious leaders and representatives of key populations to share testimonies of their experiences in working with each other. He explained that the purpose is to identify models of collaborations or partnerships between these groups, which have positively benefitted People living with HIV and reduced AIDS-related discrimination.

The overarching purpose of the Consultation is to create a regional partnership between religious leaders and key populations to advocate, lobby and monitor regional governments to ensure they adhere to all international agreements that protect the right to health.

– 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 which was established on 14 February 2001. PANCAP provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, coordinates the response through the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS to maximise efficient use of resources and increase impact, mobilises resources and build capacity of partners.

What are the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 Targets?

• By 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status.
• By 2020, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy.
• By 2020, 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

Contact:
Timothy Austin
Communications Specialist
PANCAP Coordinating Unit
CARICOM Secretariat
Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana
Email: taustin.consultant@caricom.org
Tel: (592) 222-0001-75, Ext. 3409 | Visit www.PANCAP.org

Workshop to develop strategy for domestic, innovative financing for HIV and Malaria in the Caribbean held in Georgetown, Guyana

Image: (L-R) Dennis Glasgow, participant, Dr Martin Odiit, UNAIDS Country Director, Guyana and Suriname and Mr Dereck Springer, Director of PANCAP

Joint press statement:

The Developing Country NGO Delegation to the Global Fund Board (DCNGO)
Global Fund Advocates Network (GFAN)
Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC)
Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP)

Tuesday, January 30 2018: The Developing Country NGO Delegation to the Global Fund Board (DCNGO), Global Fund Advocates Network (GFAN) and the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC), collaborated with 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 to convene a joint meeting of advocates for domestic financing for HIV. The meeting is being held in Georgetown Guyana from January 29 to 31, 2018.

The purpose of the intervention is to create a strategic approach to raising awareness and advocacy for increasing domestic financing for HIV, AIDS and Malaria programmes through advocacy training and strategic planning.

At the core of the workshop is the development of a regional (Caribbean) strategy, which will be coordinated by a working group tasked with addressing key resource mobilization and domestic financing issues related to The Global Fund in Jamaica, St Lucia (OECS), Haiti, Belize, and Guyana.

In his opening remarks, Mr Jomain McKenzie, Communications Focal Point for the DCNGO emphasised that “any health burden is also a financial burden and where governments don’t always see the need, it is up to us to make the case for funding our health.” Mr McKenzie highlighted that civil society’s efforts in domestic financing send a signal to donors that we do play a role in the big picture of health funding – a role that goes beyond that of being beneficiaries.

In welcoming participants, Director of PANCAP, Mr Dereck Springer, underscored the importance of the involvement of civil society in advocating for increased financing by Governments for HIV. He emphasized that civil society has held the baton for HIV awareness from the inception and that their involvement is critical for the next phase of the Region’s response to the disease. The Director referred to the PANCAP Regional Advocacy Strategy as a model that can be strategically utilized for the intervention. He posited that the strategy propagates that civil society has the ability to mobilize unprecedented financial resources and enable communities to participate in designing health services that meet their needs.

Dr Martin Odiit, UNAIDS Country Director, Guyana and Suriname commended the organisers and participants of the intervention, stating his appreciated that the Caribbean is taking a positive step and being fully involved in the Global Fund replenishment as evidenced by the enthusiasm at the workshop. He also noted UNAIDS ongoing support to countries in developing HIV investment cases for sustainability.

The participants include representatives from Government, National AIDS Commission, advocates, and leaders of civil society organisations, namely the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC), Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS), Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) and the Caribbean Sex Work Coalition (CSWC).

The initiative is financially and technically supported by International Civil Society Support (ICSS) Global Fund Advocacy Network (GFAN) through the New Venture Fund of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

– ENDS –

What is PANCAP?

What is the DCNGO?

The Developing Country NGO Delegation is a voting constituency on the Global Fund Board and represents NGOs, from the Developing World, serving those affected by HIV/AIDS, TB, & Malaria. The Delegation seeks to influence decisions and policies to ensure strategic, continuous and appropriate responsiveness to the needs of those affected by the three diseases and the NGOs providing services to them.

PANCAP hosts training to strengthen advocacy skills of Youth leaders

Thursday, January 18 2018 (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, will host the PANCAP Training to Strengthen Advocacy Skills of Youth Leaders, 19-20 January 2018 in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The intervention builds on the PANCAP Meeting of Youth Leaders held on April 21 – 22, 2017 in which youth leaders from 19 countries discussed and agreed on a Regional Youth Advocacy Framework for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

The training intends to mobilize Caribbean youth leaders to advocate for substantive policy changes across the region in support of reducing their vulnerability to HIV infection by improving access to HIV combination prevention, care, treatment and support services, in recognition of their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The activities will encompass the development of the capacity of Caribbean youth leaders to act as agents of social change and to support youth participation in high-level advocacy and policy dialogues.

The overarching aim of the training is to strengthen Caribbean youth leaders’ advocacy skills. A 14-member PANCAP Youth Steering Committee comprised of CARICOM Youth Ambassadors and Key Population Youth was established in July 2017 to coordinate the implementation of the Youth Advocacy Framework. The Committee will also provide oversight for youth advocacy at the national and regional level.

CARICOM Youth Ambassadors and Key population youth will be drawn from the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago.

According to PANCAP Youth Advisor, Dr Astell Collins (Hon.), the intervention fulfils a promise made by PANCAP to the participants of the Youth Meeting held in April 2017.

“We committed to building their capacity to advocate for access to HIV prevention, care and treatment services,” stated Dr Collins, “PANCAP also committed to enhance their ability to raise awareness of their rights regarding sexual and reproductive health”. He further explained that the activity forms part of PANCAP’s overall strategy for facilitating the empowerment and involvement of youth in the HIV response, particularly youth within key populations.

Youth leaders from each of the key populations will be represented at the meeting. These include sex workers, the transgender community and Men who have sex with men (MSM).

The initiative will be facilitated by an expert in human rights law and will include interactive activities designed to increase participants’ knowledge of human rights and vulnerability.

PANCAP’s overarching objective is to equip participants with skills to develop an advocacy strategy.

Image: Participants of the Meeting of Caribbean Youth Leaders – Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV AIDS with SENATOR THE HON. ROBERT T.L.V. BROWNE held on 2017-04-21 in Port-of-Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

What is PANCAP?

PANCAP congratulates the Government of Barbados on the opening of new public health laboratory

Image: Barbados’ Minister of Health, John Boyce with Her Excellency Linda Taglialatela, United States Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS, cutting the ribbon to officially declare the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory open.

The Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) congratulates the Government of Barbados on the opening of the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory. Director of PANCAP, Mr Dereck Springer deemed the achievement “a significant milestone and a positive step for health care in Barbados”.

Minister of Health, John Boyce, stated: “the opening of the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory marks a new milestone in the public health development of Barbados”.

This comment was made by the Minister during the opening and renaming ceremony of the amalgamated public health laboratory, which was held on the grounds of the new laboratory on Friday, January 5, 2018. The new public health laboratory is an amalgamation of the Public Health Laboratory, the Ladymeade Reference Unit and the Leptospira Laboratory.

“This ceremony represents a significant milestone for us here in Barbados and celebrates the tangible beginning of a new phase in public health,” stated the Minister.

“It is indeed exciting to be a part of this opening ceremony for this new facility, which has the capacity to act as a Reference Laboratory for Barbados and the Caribbean.”

Dr Kenneth George, Acting Chief Medical Officer, expressed that the opening ceremony served also as a celebration that signified the renewal and expansion of their capacity in primary health care in Barbados, which they would not have reached without the tenacity and foresight of dedicated teams, both local and international.

“The journey of public health in Barbados has been punctuated by many success stories. From the elimination of measles to the universal acceptable levels of sanitation, to the universal access to primary healthcare, to the procurement of safe and efficacious pharmaceuticals, to the development of our national response to non-communicable diseases and, more recently our continued collective responses to the epidemics of influenza, Ebola, Chikungunya and Zika,” he said.

“This journey could not have been achieved by the Government of Barbados on its own, but through technical support, expertise and financing given by many regional, international and multilateral partners including UWI, the Caribbean Public Health Agency, WHO, PAHO, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and of course, the Government of the United States of America”.

He strongly expressed that it was his belief that public health represented the building of policies and programmes to strengthen the health and wellness of our population through drawing on the attributes of information sharing, strategic planning, quality assurance and monitoring and evaluation.

Following the opening ceremony, Minister Boyce, Dr. George and other officials, such as Her Excellency Linda Taglialatela, United States Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS; and Laura Griesmer, Deputy Chief of Mission at the embassy of the United States of America, were treated to a tour of the new facilities.

PANCAP Builds Capacity of NAP Managers and Civil Society in Public Education on ‘Treat All’

Tuesday, December 5 2017 (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, will host the PANCAP Knowledge for Health Treat All Strategy and Message Design Workshop from December 7-8 in Port-of-Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Treat All policy, announced in September 2015 by the World Health Organisation (WHO), stated that anyone infected with HIV should begin antiretroviral treatment as soon after diagnosis as possible. With its “treat-all” recommendation, WHO removed all limitations on eligibility for antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV; all populations and age groups are now eligible for treatment.

The workshop, designed to build the capacity of National AIDS Programme (NAP) Managers and representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in creating strategic ‘Treat All’ messages, will host over 30 participants. It is an initiative of the PANCAP Knowledge for Health Project and will be facilitated by Beth Mallalieu, a Health Communications Specialist from the Johns Hopkins Centre of Communication Programmes and the PANCAP Knowledge for Health team.

Participants will be engaged in identifying target audiences (with a focus on key populations), selecting appropriate channels of communication and creating ‘Treat All’ messages that can be easily understood by key populations.

“We have listened to the needs of our civil society partners and NAP Managers and there is an urgent need for public education messages that explain the Treat All policy and benefits,’ stated Director of PANCAP, Dereck Springer, ‘we have developed a series of fact sheets on Treat All and the 90-90-90 targets; this workshop provides us with the opportunity to work directly with the Partnership to formulate strategic messages for key populations including Men who have sex with men, Sex workers and Youth within these key populations. It is essential that all stakeholders are educated about Treat All as we move to fast track the 90-90-90 targets”.
The workshop culminates a year of significant success for the Partnership with the relaunch of the Champions for Change initiative and specific interventions for CSOs, NAP managers, parliamentarians, youth, faith leaders and six countries in the region being certified as having achieved elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis.

Editor’s notes:

What is the ‘Treat All’ Policy?

Fact: Treat All policies could help avert more than 21 million deaths and 28 million new infections by 2030 (Source: World Health Organization).

In September 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a new policy, which stated that anyone infected with HIV should begin antiretroviral treatment as soon after diagnosis as possible. With its “treat-all” recommendation, WHO removed all limitations on eligibility for antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV; all populations and age groups are now eligible for treatment.

The expanded use of antiretroviral treatment is supported by recent findings from clinical trials confirming that early use of ART keeps people living with HIV alive, healthier and reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to partners.

WHO now also recommends that people at “substantial” risk of HIV should be offered preventive antiretroviral treatment. This new recommendation builds on 2014 WHO guidance to offer a combination of antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV acquisition, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), for men who have sex with men. Following further evidence of the effectiveness and acceptability of PrEP, WHO has now broadened this recommendation to support the offer of PrEP to other population groups at significant HIV risk. PrEP should be seen as an additional prevention choice based on a comprehensive package of services, including HIV testing, counselling and support, and access to condoms and safe injection equipment.

New recommendations on early use of ART and expanded offer of PrEP are contained in WHO’s “Guideline on when to start antiretroviral therapy and on pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV.” The new guideline stresses that, in order to effectively implement the recommendations, countries will need to ensure that testing and treatment for HIV infection are readily available and that those undergoing treatment are supported to adhere to recommended regimens and are retained in care.

The recommendations were developed as part of a comprehensive update of the “WHO consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for preventing and treating HIV infection”.

Based on the new recommendations, the number of people eligible for antiretroviral treatment increases from 28 million to all 37 million people who currently live with HIV globally. Expanding access to treatment is at the heart of the set of targets for 2020 with the aim to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. These targets include 90% of people living with HIV being aware of their HIV infection, 90% of those receiving antiretroviral treatment, and 90% of people on ART having no detectable virus in their blood.

According to UNAIDS estimates, expanding ART to all people living with HIV and expanding prevention choices can help avert 21 million AIDS-related deaths and 28 million new infections by 2030.

CLICK HERE for the Guideline on when to start antiretroviral therapy and on pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV.

What is PANCAP?

Success! Six Caribbean Countries join Cuba In Eliminating Mother-To-Child Transmission Of HIV And Syphilis (EMTCT)

Friday, December 1 2017 (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, commends the Caribbean countries that received validation by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) for the dual Elimination of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis. The countries are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

In 2015, Cuba made history when it became the first country in the world to have achieved the dual elimination of the Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis (EMTCT). Since then a number of Caribbean countries and territories have prepared EMTCT reports and have applied to the PAHO Director for validation.

The announcement was made during a special ceremony hosted by Saint Kitts and Nevis, which included a feature address by the Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Lead Head for Human Resources, Health and HIV, CARICOM and Chair of PANCAP, the Right Honourable Timothy Harris. The Director of PAHO, Carissa F. Etienne also made remarks during the ceremony as well as Massimo Ghidinelli, Chief, HIV/AIDS Unit, PAHO, Dr Aida Oliver, Deputy Regional Director, UNICEF Office, Dr Cesar Nunez, Regional Director, Latin America and Caribbean, UNAIDS, Yolanda Simon, Regional Advocate for Persons Living with HIV and Merceline Dahl-Regis, Chair, Regional Validation Committee (RVC).

In his message, Prime Minister Timothy Harris, stated that he was particularly proud of his country for achieving such a significant milestone since it meant that mothers and babies within the health care system are enjoying better health outcomes. He emphasized that Saint Kitts and Nevis is serious about remaining on the trajectory to end AIDS and that the announcement is an impetus for the Government and people of the country to work harder for the elimination of the disease.

The Director of PAHO urged the representatives of the newly validated countries to think of the achievement as a next step rather than the culmination of the process.
She explained that validated countries are due for revalidation every two years and countries must maintain a Mother-to-Child transmission rate of 1% or less in order to uphold their validation.

Director of PANCAP, Mr Dereck Springer, reacted to the announcement by underscoring the significance of the achievement to achieving PANCAP’s vision of an AIDS-free Caribbean. He emphasized that the validation for EMTCT of HIV and Syphilis sends a strong message that the Caribbean is making remarkable progress towards achieving the goal of an AIDS-free generation and that this milestone directly aligns with the vision and objectives of PANCAP.

The Director posited that the achievement signalled that the spread of the disease from mothers to children is being halted but implored that the process of maintaining EMTCT must be upheld by the countries who received validation. He also highlighted that the announcement will provide significant motivation for other Caribbean countries to accelerate their efforts to achieve elimination.

“Certification is only a first step. We must now maintain this achievement and work to eliminate these diseases in other key population groups in the coming years to reach the end of these epidemics by 2030″ stated Mr Springer.

The Director urged PANCAP member states to remain committed to the goal of EMTCT and embrace the Regional EMTCT Strategy and Plan of Action, which was renewed in 2016 in the ‘Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (2016-2021)”.

An independent Regional Validation Committee (RVC) utilizing the global validation standards recommended by WHO led the validation review process.

– ENDS –

Six Caribbean territories and states eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis

Saint Kitts and Nevis/ Geneva, December 1, 2017 – Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Saint Kitts and Nevis were today certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

“This elimination is the result of our strong political commitment to public health and of making the health of mothers, children and families a regional priority,” said Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis. Over the last six years the Caribbean has succeeded in reducing new HIV infections in children by more than half. “This is an amazing achievement given the high rates of HIV in the past, and we intend to improve on this success story even more in the future.”

Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Regional Director for the Americas of WHO, said “This elimination is a remarkable achievement that puts the Americas at the forefront of the global effort to ensure that no child is born with HIV or congenital syphilis”. “With political commitment, stronger health systems, and timely prevention, diagnosis and treatment, we can achieve great changes,” she added.

“UNAIDS congratulates the six states and territories on this important achievement,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “All countries should follow their example and ensure that every child has an HIV-free start to his or her life.”

In 2015, Cuba, another Caribbean island, became the first country in the world to receive validation from WHO for having achieved elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. Subsequently, Thailand and Belarus were also validated as having achieved dual elimination, while Armenia received validation of its elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and the Republic of Moldova was validated for the elimination of congenital syphilis.

Since the launch in 2010 of the Regional Initiative for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis in Latin America and the Caribbean—coordinated by PAHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with support from other regional partners—new HIV infections have been reduced in the Caribbean by more than 52% among children, from 1800 in 2010 to fewer than a thousand in 2016. Reported cases of congenital syphilis, meanwhile, remain below the goal of having no more than 50 cases per 100,000 live births, although they have not declined since 2010, and it is likely there is underreporting of cases.

“The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis is not just a dream; it’s an achievable goal,” said Maria Cristina Perceval, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “Today we can say we are closer to ensuring an AIDS-free generation”.

In the Caribbean as of 2016, 74% of pregnant women living with HIV, 64% more than in 2010, had access to antiretroviral therapy to protect their health and significantly reduce the possibility of transmitting the virus to their children during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. The increased access to treatment contributed to a 52% reduction in the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV between 2010 and 2016, which is now at 9%, still higher than the target of 2%.

Other changes in the health sector that have contributed to this progress include intensive participation by both the public and private health sectors, led by the ministries of health, in the implementation of comprehensive maternal and child health services, with an emphasis on universal coverage and quality antenatal and prenatal care. They also include expanded testing to ensure early detection and immediate treatment for both HIV and syphilis, laboratory networks of guaranteed quality in accordance with international standards and the implementation of essential measures to guarantee the human rights of women living with HIV.

“The validation for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis sends a strong message that the Caribbean is making remarkable inroads to achieving the goal of an AIDS-free generation and the achievement directly aligns with achieving our vision and objectives,” said Dereck Springer, Director of the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS. “The spread of the disease from mothers to children is being halted, but elimination status must be maintained and other Caribbean countries must strengthen their services with the goal of receiving validation from WHO,” he added.

The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis is an important milestone for ending AIDS and sexually transmitted infections as public health threats by 2030, commitments endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly and by the World Health Assembly. Other PAHO Member States in the Caribbean are participating in the formal validation process, and it is expected that more will be recognized for their achievements in 2018.

Spotlight on HIV prevention

This week, PAHO and UNAIDS launched their first joint report on HIV prevention in the Americas, entitled HIV Prevention in the Spotlight: A Health Sector Analysis in Latin America and the Caribbean. The report shows that the number of new HIV infections among adults remained stable in Latin America and the Caribbean between 2010 and 2016, at about 120,000 new HIV infections annually. The report urges countries to step up the implementation of a comprehensive package of interventions to prevent new HIV infections for key populations, so as to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.

Among the report’s specific recommendations is expanded access to HIV self-testing and diagnosis of other sexually transmitted infections, the provision of pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis as recommended by WHO, treatment for all people living with HIV, and eliminating discrimination.

HIV and syphilis in the Caribbean in 2016*
• 310 000 [280 000–350 000] people living with HIV.
• 64% [51–74%] of people living with HIV know their status.
• 81% [64– >85%] of people diagnosed with HIV on antiretroviral therapy.
• 67% [53–77%] of people on antiretroviral therapy have a suppressed viral load.
• 18 000 [15 000–22 000] new HIV infections.
• 9400 [7300–12 000] AIDS-related deaths.
• 1.25 million live births in 2014 in 31 Caribbean countries.
• 10 000 [8700–12 000] children up to 14 years of age living with HIV, 29% less than in 2010.
• <1000 [<1000–1000] new HIV infections among children up to 14 years old in 2016, more than 52% less than in 2010.
• 11 000 [9000–13 000] new HIV infections prevented among children up to 14 years old from 2010 to 2016.
• 97% of women attend at least one antenatal check-up, and 94% of deliveries took place in hospitals in 2016.
• 78% of pregnant women were tested for HIV in 2016, 35% more than in 2010.
• 74% [65–84%] of pregnant women living with HIV are on antiretroviral therapy, a 64% increase since 2010.
• 9% rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, 52% less than in 2010.
• 96% coverage of testing for syphilis among pregnant women who had at least one prenatal visit, stable since 2010.
• 80% of pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis received adequate treatment, stable since 2010.
• 1 case of congenital syphilis every 10 000 live births in 2016 according to data from 21 countries, stable since 2010.
* Source: Global Monitoring of AIDS 2017, UNAIDS and data directly reported by countries to PAHO.
WHO validation process

The validation process begins with a request from a country to PAHO for the validation of the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. Then, an independent Regional Validation Committee is formed to carry forward the process, using the global validation standards recommended by WHO.

In the case of these Caribbean states and territories, the members of the regional committee were experts from 10 countries of the Americas, who reviewed the reports of each state and carried out virtual and in situ evaluations in four key areas: health programmes and services, data and information systems, laboratory quality and human rights, gender equality and community participation.

On the recommendation of the regional committee, the Global Validation Advisory Committee conducted a second review and recommended to the Director-General of WHO the validation of Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Saint Kitts and Nevis for the achievement of the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis as a public health threat.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their peoples. Founded in 1902, it is the oldest international public health organization in the world. It acts as the regional office for the Americas of the WHO and is the specialized health agency of the inter-American system.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Note to editors:

The indicators required by PAHO / WHO for validation in the Americas include:
Impact indicators—must be reached for at least two consecutive years:
• 30 cases or fewer of new perinatal HIV infections per 100,000 live births; and
• 50 cases or fewer of congenital syphilis per 100,000 live births; and
• 2% or below rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Process indicators—must be achieved for at least two consecutive years:
• 95% or more of all pregnant women should receive at least one antenatal care visit.
• 95% or more of pregnant women living with HIV tested for the virus.
• 95% or more of pregnant women attending prenatal care screened for syphilis.
• 95% or more of pregnant women diagnosed with HIV or syphilis receive adequate treatment.

The term validation is used to attest that a country has successfully achieved the indicators (regional and global targets established for validation) to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis at a specific point in time and demonstrate a health system strong enough to maintain the gains.

LINKS

Global validation of the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis
www.who.int/hiv/topics/mtct/emtct-validation/en
Video – Elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis in the Caribbean:
https://youtu.be/LnH2VBb0NTc
HIV Prevention in the Spotlight: A Health Sector Analysis in Latin America and the Caribbean
www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13959%3Apaho-unaids-call-for-stepping-up-hiv-prevention-efforts-and-offering-all-available-options-to-prevent-new-infections&catid=740&Itemid=1926&lang=en
CONTACTS:
PAHO/WHO Washington, DC
Leticia Linn | Phone. + 1 202 974 3440 | Mobile: +1 202 701 4005 | E-mail: linnl@paho.org
Sebastián Oliel | Phone: +1 202 974 3459 | Mobile: +1 202 316 5679 | E-mail: oliels@paho.org
Daniel Epstein | Phone. +1 202 974 3579 | E-mail: epsteind@paho.org. PAHO/WHO: www.paho.org

UNAIDS announces nearly 21 million people living with HIV now on treatment

CAPE TOWN/GENEVA, 20 November 2017—Remarkable progress is being made on HIV treatment. Ahead of World AIDS Day, UNAIDS has launched a new report showing that access to treatment has risen significantly. In 2000, just 685 000 people living with HIV had access to antiretroviral therapy. By June 2017, around 20.9 million people had access to the life-saving medicines. Such a dramatic scale-up could not have happened without the courage and determination of people living with HIV demanding and claiming their rights, backed up by steady, strong leadership and financial commitment.

“Many people do not remember that in 2000 there were only 90 people in South Africa on treatment,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, speaking in Khayelitsha, South Africa. “Today, South Africa has the biggest life-saving treatment programme in the world, with more than 4 million people on treatment. This is the kind of acceleration we need to encourage, sustain and replicate.”

The rise in the number of people on treatment is keeping more people living with HIV alive and well. Scientific research has also shown that a person living with HIV who is adhering to an effective regime of antiretroviral therapy is up to 97% less likely to transmit HIV. As treatment access has been scaled up for pregnant women living with HIV, new HIV infections among children have been rapidly reduced. From 2010 to 2016, new HIV infections among children were reduced by 56% in eastern and southern Africa, the region most affected by HIV, and by 47% globally.

“In 2001, the first person in Khayelitsha started HIV treatment. Today, there are almost 42 000 people on treatment here. The success of Khayelitsha’s treatment programme is a microcosm of the massive success of South Africa’s HIV programme,” said Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health, South Africa.

The challenges now are to ensure that the 17.1 million people in need of treatment, including 919 000 children, can access the medicines and to put HIV prevention back at the top of public health programming, particularly in the countries in which new HIV infections are rising.

The new report from UNAIDS, Right to health, highlights that the people most marginalized in society and most affected by HIV are still facing major challenges in accessing the health and social services they urgently need. However, the report also gives innovative examples of how marginalized communities are responding.

In India, for example, a collective of sex workers has trained sex workers to work as nursing assistants, providing stigma-free health services to sex workers and the wider community. In Uganda, groups of grandmothers are weaving and selling traditional baskets to allow them to pay for schooling for the grandchildren in their care who lost their parents to AIDS.

In 2016, around 1.8 million people were newly infected with HIV, a 39% decrease from the 3 million who became newly infected at the peak of the epidemic in the late 1990s. In sub-Saharan Africa, new HIV infections have fallen by 48% since 2000.
However, new HIV infections are rising at a rapid pace in countries that have not expanded health and HIV services to the areas and the populations where they are most effective. In eastern Europe and central Asia, for example, new HIV infections have risen by 60% since 2010 and AIDS-related deaths by 27%.

References to the right to health are found in international and regional laws, treaties, United Nations declarations and national laws and constitutions across the globe. The right to health is defined in Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. This includes the right of everyone, including people living with and affected by HIV, to the prevention and treatment of ill health, to make decisions about one’s own health and to be treated with respect and dignity and without discrimination.

UNAIDS’ Right to health report makes it clear that states have basic human rights obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the right to health.

The report gives voice to the communities most affected by HIV—including people living with HIV, sex workers, people who use drugs, gay men and other men who have sex with men and young people—on what the right to health means to them.
“Almost 20 years ago, the struggle was about access to treatment. Now, my struggle is not only about access but about ensuring that I have the support that I need to live a healthy and positive life. That is my right to health,” said Cindy Mguye, civil society representative.

Wherever the right to health is compromised, HIV spreads. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, 67% of new HIV infections among young people are among young women and girls aged between 15 and 24 years. Studies have shown that a large number of young women and girls in the region contract HIV from older men, demonstrating multiple concerns about the ability of young women and girls to negotiate safer sex, stay in education and access age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health services.

Studies have also shown the difficulties health services face in reaching men with HIV testing and treatment, as well as broader health services, showing the challenge in encouraging men to exercise their right to health. In 2016, men in sub-Saharan Africa were 18% less likely to be accessing treatment and 8% more likely to die from AIDS-related illnesses than women.

The Right to health gives a clear demonstration of the challenges ahead in efforts to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030, as outlined in the 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS.

The report underscores that to reduce new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths and ensure access to essential health services, funding for health needs to increase. It gives examples of how to enhance funding, including increasing the share of health spending as a proportion of national economies, making savings through efficiencies and partnering with the private sector. The funding gap for HIV is estimated at US$ 7 billion by 2020.

UNAIDS has set an agenda to Fast-Track the response to HIV by 2020 towards ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. It will continue to work closely with its Cosponsors and partners to ensure that everyone, everywhere can fulfil their right to health and can access the health and social services they need.

In 2016 (*June 2017) an estimated:

*20.9 million [18.4 million–21.7 million] people were accessing antiretroviral therapy (in June 2017)

36.7 million [30.8 million–42.9 million] people globally were living with HIV

1.8 million [1.6 million–2.1 million] people became newly infected with HIV

1.0 million [830 000–1.2 million] people died from AIDS-related illnesses

CLICK HERE to download the report from PANCAP.org

New Call to Action provides guidelines for achieving sustainable HIV responses in Latin America and the Caribbean

Port-au-Prince, 10 November 2017 (PAHO/WHO-UNAIDS) — Civil society, government, private sector and development partners from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) concluded three days of deliberations in Port au Prince, Haiti with a Call to Action outlining the principles and actions that would set the region on track to achieve a sustainable HIV response, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The Third Latin American and Caribbean Forum on Sustainability of the HIV Response, “Road to Ending AIDS in LAC: Towards Sustainable Regional Fast-Track Targets”, was held from 6th to 8th November 2017 and brought together more than 200 participants. The forum was organized by the Government of Haiti, UNAIDS, PAHO/WHO, people living with HIV and other partners.

The objectives of the third forum were to review the progress and challenges towards meeting international and national targets; to discuss strategies to sustain the response in the medium and long-term including reflection on how to improve health systems effectiveness, efficiency and appropriate resource allocations; and to identify recommendations on how to close the resource gaps, specifically by increasing domestic investments.

Through the 2016 Political Declaration on ending AIDS and the Sustainable Development Goals, the world has pledged to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. Countries have committed to a “Fast-Track” approach which includes a commitment to close the global HIV and AIDS resource gap and to fully fund the HIV and AIDS response. In both Latin America and the Caribbean, the resources allocated to the HIV response remain lower than what is needed to achieve the Fast-Track Targets by 2020. Donor dependency is especially high for prevention with proven impact for key and vulnerable populations.

In 2016, there were 2.1 million people living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean. From 2010 to 2016 there has been a 19% reduction in the number of AIDS-related deaths. At present 56% of all people living with HIV in the region are on antiretroviral treatment. Of concern is the fact that new infections have remained stagnant at an estimated 120,000 each year since 2010. Inaction would lead to further resource needs that will increase the cost of responding to the epidemic. This could translate into lives lost and a heavy burden on public finances.

Winfield Tannis Abbott, Chair of the Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV, emphasized that the work on sustainability must be underpinned by human rights principles: “Civil society organizations in this region are united in our insistence that ending AIDS is not just about drugs and sustainability is not just about money. To get the best returns on investments we must place special focus on human development, access to social justice for all and the particular needs of key and vulnerable communities.”

As result of this Third Forum in Port-au-Prince, participants agreed on key recommendations to reduce budget gaps, make public expenditure more efficient and equitable and maximize the use of non-financial resources. They also called for a number of actions by governments, civil society, donors and the United Nations to achieve sustainable HIV responses. The resulting Call to Action of Port-au-Prince document is based on the principles of Human Rights and Universal Health, and adopts the core values of the right to health, equity, and solidarity beyond financial sustainability.

“Current sustainability challenges towards ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 go well beyond financing. We need a framework that leads to a comprehensive approach to address challenges associated with the organization of health service delivery and the model of care, the stewardship role of national health authorities and governance of the health system, as well as intersectoral action. The Regional Strategy for universal health provides such a framework,” said Dr. Amalia Del Riego, chief of the Health Services and Access Unit of the Pan American Health Organization.

“Ending the AIDS epidemic is a shared responsibility, requiring political commitment and increases in both international and domestic investment in the AIDS responses. This Call to Action lays the foundation for developing and implementing the rapid expansion of an efficient, effective, integrated and sustainable HIV response.” said Dr. César Núñez, Regional Director of the UNAIDS Latin America and Caribbean Regional Support Team.

Call to Action of Port au Prince

The call to action is divided into 4 main sections.

Call to Latin America and Caribbean governments

Participants urge governments in the region to allocate at least six percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to health while innovating to increase the fiscal space available for health investments. Recommendations for doing this include the reform of existing taxation systems. A key priority is increasing accountability by implementing mechanisms to strengthen data collection including disaggregation by gender and key population, storage, analysis and dissemination of information aligned with the national health information systems to inform decision making, investments and planning, including information on HIV needs and expenditures. Governments are being asked to prioritize the meaningful involvement and funding of civil society organizations in support of an effective HIV response, particularly as it relates to increasing the access of key and vulnerable populations to HIV services.

Call to civil society organizations

Among other actions, participants urge civil society to continue, expand and build advocacy efforts to mobilize domestic resources and monitor budget allocation and expenditures. Greater investment in civil society and community-based service delivery is critical to the Fast-Track approach. Participants also call on civil society to participate in the preparedness processes of countries transitioning out of external donor support and to ensure transition plans adopt a multi-sectoral approach.

Call to donor governments and multilateral funding mechanisms

Participants call on donor governments and multilateral funding mechanisms to support a planned, measured and effective transition from donor funding to domestic reliance for the HIV response and to strengthen coordination to ensure that there is no duplication of donor support. They also urge donors to continue supporting the work of global, regional and national civil society organizations, particularly those working with Key Populations and groups in conditions of vulnerability.

Call to the United Nations

In the call to action, the UN is urged to promote horizontal technical cooperation such as the Horizontal Technical Cooperation Group (GCTH) and the use of evidence-based and highly effective interventions to prevent and treat HIV, and other related diseases as well as to reduce stigma and discrimination. The UN is also called to support the strengthening of governance capacity of LAC governments, particularly within Ministries of Health, in order to strengthen capacity for leadership of the HIV response. Participants indicate that PAHO and UNAIDS should be supported to monitor and report against the actions in the Call to Action, including collaboratively establishing indicators and targets.

About the LAC III Forum

This forum was organized as a collaborative effort by the Government of Haiti, in coordination with the Horizontal Technical Cooperation Group (GCTH), the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP), the Minister of Health of Brazil, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Global Fund Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the Latin American Network of People Living with HIV (REDLA+) and the Caribbean Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (CRN+).

Media contacts:

Stéphanie Renauld Armand
+ 509 3442 0841
stephanie@wellcomhaiti.com
French-speaking journalists

Michela Polesana
+ 507 69494371
polesanam@unaids.org
Spanish-speaking journalists

Cedriann Martin
+ 1 876 396-7610
martinc@unaids.org
English-speaking journalists

Daniel de Castro
decastrod@unaids.org
Portuguese-speaking journalists

PAHO/WHO
Leticia Linn
Phone. + 1 202 974 3440
Mobile: +1 202 701 4005
E-mail: linnl@paho.org
Sebastián Oliel
Phone: +1 202 974 3459
Mobile: +1 202 316 5679
Email: oliels@paho.org
Daniel Epstein
Phone. +1 202 974 3579
E-mail: epsteind@paho.org
PAHO/WHO: www.paho.org

Finance and HIV Experts gather in Haiti to participate in the Third Latin American and Caribbean Forum on sustainability of the HIV response

PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI, NOVEMBER 5 2017: The Third Latin American and Caribbean Forum on Sustainability of the HIV Response, “Road to Ending AIDS in LAC: Towards Sustainable Regional Fast Track Targets” will be held in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, from 6 to 8 November 2017.

The Caribbean will be represented by National AIDS Programme Managers, Chief Medical Officers, key populations and regional partners. Regional partners will include The University of the West Indies, Caribbean Med Labs Foundation (CMLF) and the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC). Civil Society Organisations will also be participating including the Caribbean Sex Work Coalition (CSWC), Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS), Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (CRN+), Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE), , The DMARCO Foundation and the Trinidad and Tobago Transgender Coalition. Key populations attending include People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) representatives.

Through the Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: On the FastTrack to Accelerating the Fight against HIV and to Ending the AIDS Epidemic by 2030, the world has pledged within the Sustainable Development Goals to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. Countries have committed to a “Fast-Track” approach from now until 2020 and reaffirm in light of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda concrete policies and actions to close the global HIV and AIDS resource gap and to fully fund the HIV and AIDS response with the target of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Following the successful experiences of the first and second Latin American and Caribbean Forums, the key objective of this third Forum is to develop and implement the rapid expansion of an efficient, effective, integrated and sustainable HIV response aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Latin America and the Caribbean regional Fast Track agenda.

The Forum, which will gather finance and HIV experts from Latin America, the Caribbean and from around the world, will provide a space for sharing information on national progress and preliminary results towards the achievement of the agreed “90-90-90” and the prevention and zero discrimination targets, challenges and unmet needs from the 2015 Rio Call to Action. It will also provide a space for sharing new scientific data, to support the implementation of cost-effective and efficient interventions across the continuum of HIV prevention, care and treatment. Finally, it will facilitate a discussion around strategies and mechanisms to transition into nationally sustainable responses to end AIDS as a public health threat in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030.

This forum is organized as a collaborative effort by the Government of Haiti, in coordination with the Horizontal Technical Cooperation Group (GCTH), the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the Minister of Health of Brazil, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Pan American Health Organization, the Global Fund Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the Latin American Network of People Living with HIV (REDLA+) and the Caribbean Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (CRN+).

For media interviews please contact:

Spanish Speaking Journalists

Milena Sandler
Or
Michela Polesana
00507 69494371
polesanam@unaids.org

English Speaking Journalists
Cedriann Martin

– ENDS –

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