Release Type: Press Release

Tuesday, March 13, 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, commenced the Sixth Meeting of National AIDS Programme (NAP) Managers and Key Partners in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago from 12–14 March 2018. 

 Delivering the Feature Address, Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago highlighted that it has been more than 34 years since the first reported HIV and AIDS case in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean and over 17 years since highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) became a reality.

However, he emphasized the need to focus on the sustainability of the response. “From the outset of the HIV epidemic in the Caribbean, there have been varied efforts to ensure that our regional and local communities achieved sustainability in our response to HIV”, stated Minister Deyalsingh, “Sustainable HIV programmes are characterized by the ability of a national government and regional partners to increasingly assume full strategic and financial responsibility for their HIV and AIDS response over the long-term”.

The Minister explained that this requires the development and strengthening of policies, infrastructure, skills, processes, human and financial resources to ensure that the response can survive, adapt and scale-up.  He highlighted that financing is key to mounting a sustainable response and referred to the approaching 2020 deadline for the “90-90-90 Fast-Track Target”.  Further, he explained that “the region finds itself in a global environment with complex development priorities that pose challenges to national budgets and affect bilateral cooperation. The region is expected to experience reduced technical and financial inflows and must collectively mobilize domestic resources especially, for the support of prevention and the elimination of HIV-related stigma and discrimination among key and vulnerable populations, as complimentary external financing dwindles”.

Minister warned that while the desire to achieve sustainable responses is widespread, little formal research has been undertaken to assess the resilience of Caribbean territories, in the face of the withdrawal of external support.

“As a region, we need to urgently heighten the research and the debate on the sustainability of the HIV response,” stated the Minister.

Addressing the participants, Chair of the Regional Coordinating Mechanism (RCM), Global Fund Project and Minister of Education, Guyana, Honourable Nicolette Henry advocated for more country ownership of the HIV response.

“To achieve the objectives of the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS there is still need to strengthen country ownership of the response and shared responsibility to strategically align efforts to end HIV as a public health problem in the Caribbean”, stated Minister Henry, “As a region we are still challenged with late diagnosis, particularly for men. Yet there is much to celebrate. People are living much longer with HIV, many more patients are on ART and there are greater methods and practices for fast-tracking prevention, operational financing mechanisms, and authority and responsibility of National AIDS Programmes. These are all essential requirements for closing the gap and shepherding an AIDS-free generation”.

The Minister’s sentiments on low diagnosis figures for men were echoed in remarks by Dr Cesar Nuñez, UNAIDS Director, Latin America and Caribbean Regional Support Team, who stated “the region as a whole is lagging behind on the HIV testing and viral suppression targets. One of three people (36%) living with HIV in the Caribbean is not aware of their HIV status, and late diagnosis is a challenge in several countries, particularly for men. In 2016, one-third of those on treatment were not virally suppressed (33%). This is what we must seek to understand and address. Why are most systems able to initiate treatment once people are diagnosed, but not to retain them in care and achieve the gold standard of viral suppression?”

Ms Annelise Hirschmann, Regional Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean, The Global Fund noted the success of the region’s response to HIV. She reminded the participants of their critical role in defining a path for the challenges ahead and emphasized the need to use treatment and key population cascades to make decisions on investing domestic and donor funding.  Ms Hirschmann advocated that data should be used to shape decisions on the response more effectively. “We know that the region does not have huge increases in domestic financing for health, but are we effectively utilizing what is available?” stated Ms Hirschmann. She also urged participants to continue to plan for the sustainability of the HIV response in light of reduced donor funding.

Dr Edwin Bolastig, PAHO/WHO Representative (ag.), Republic of Trinidad and Tobago reiterated PAHO/WHO’s commitment to all partners involved in the HIV response towards achieving the 90-90-90 Targets by 2030.  Dr Bolastig stated that country ownership of the HIV response aligned with the Regional Strategic objectives are indeed essential for the response. He also noted that while more countries have been validated for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transfer of HIV and Syphilis (EMTCT), there is still work to be done.  In light of this, he recognized PANCAP’s consistent efforts to bring together regional minds for the collective thought process towards building consensus, creating synergies and generating collective action towards ending HIV.  He also highlighted the synergy between PAHO/WHO and PANCAP in advocating for universal health coverage and ensuring that no one is denied health care because of age, sexual orientation, occupation, religious beliefs, etc.

Mr Ivan Cruickshank, Administrative and Finance Manager, Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) highlighted the critical need for data necessary to achieve the 90-90-90 Targets.  He also advocated for full involvement of civil society representatives at all levels in the implementation of HIV programmes and the region’s overall response.

Dr Nikkiah Forbes, Director, National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Programme, Ministry of Health, The Bahamas continued the theme of the meeting, calling for more interest by governments in the sustainability of the response.  She stated “I make a respectful but urgent plea to our governments to commit to, as well as finance their National and Regional AIDS response”.

Dr Forbes acknowledged the financial costs of such a commitment but implored governments to also consider the costs associated with inaction.  “I also want you to remember that the colour of AIDS awareness is blood red, for its connection to blood and passion – not just red for anger in the face of injustice”, stated Dr Forbes, “The AIDS response must prevail beyond party colours, such as in The Bahamas where fortunately HIV has been a matter that our successive government administrations have consistently supported”.

Director of PANCAP and Chair of the opening ceremony, Mr Dereck Springer highlighted that the meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the Region’s progress towards achieving the 90-90-90 Targets, to identify gaps in the region’s response and discuss strategies for filling the gaps. He noted that the meeting was being convened at a time of declining resources therefore the region must ensure greater efficiencies and effectiveness of HIV programmes.

The three-day forum will culminate on Wednesday, 14 March as National AIDS Programme Managers, Chief Medical Officers, Permanent Secretaries, Development, Regional and Implementing Partners, including civil society organizations that work with people living with HIV and key population groups (including youth), are expected to reach an agreement on approaches for integration as a key strategy for sustainability of the HIV response.

-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.

Background to the National AIDS Programme Managers and Key Partners Meeting

The Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) 2014-2018 articulates the vision and collective priorities of Caribbean states through their membership in the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP). The core premise is that stemming the HIV epidemic in the Caribbean rests on the commitment, capacity and leadership of national authorities and effective response. The primary goal of regional collaborative efforts is to support country responses by addressing common challenges in the areas of evidence based policy formulation, and innovative responses  to  addressing legislative gaps, resource mobilisation, coordination and technical assistance., An effective regional response, guided by the CRSF 2014-2018,therefore  requires that the links and interfaces between country programmes  and regional support programmes be defined and agreed to by country partners. This is critical for strengthening country ownership of the PANCAP response and a shared responsibility to strategically align efforts to end HIV as a public health problem in the Caribbean. .

The NAP (National AIDS Program) Managers and Key Partners Meeting provides an opportunity for joint decision-making in setting programmatic priorities and identifying partner contributions in order to strategically align efforts in the fight against HIV. The Meeting Agenda is intended to allow for in-depth analysis and discussion on the relevant aspects of the UN Post 2015 Agenda, and the overall advancements of the Caribbean Region in implementing new initiatives for HIV. It is within this context that opportunities and challenges for the Region and individual countries to expand the national responses will be discussed. PANCAP acknowledges the need for greater attention to inter- country linkages and greater collaboration with regional partners. This will serve to maximise synergies, and provide a mechanism for making regional public goods available to national programmes to enhance their delivery and impact.

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

Thursday, March 8, 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 Sixth Meeting of National AIDS Programme (NAP) Managers and Key Partners in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago from 12 – 14 March 2018.  Participants will include over 70 of National AIDS Programme Managers, Chief Medical Officers, Permanent Secretaries, Development and Regional Partners, Implementing Partners such as Civil Society Organizations that work with people living with HIV and Key Population groups (including youth).

The forum will focus on issues such as the integration of HIV services for sustainability of the HIV response and the progress and challenges towards achievement of the 90-90-90 targets^[1].

According to Ms Gardenia Destang-Richardson, National AIDS Programme Manager, Ministry of Health Saint Kitts and Nevis and the National AIDS Programme Managers Representative on the PANCAP Governance Bodies, “the meeting will provide a forum for assessing where we are in fast tracking the regional HIV response.  Participants will discuss innovative approaches for increasing testing, including country efforts to pilot self-testing and country experiences implementing Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as part of combination prevention, as well as retaining people living with HIV in treatment and care”.

She further explained that there would be opportunities to examine integration as a key regional strategy for ending AIDS and dialogue on the need for accurate, up to date and credible data on the HIV epidemic to guide the response in the region.

In recognition of the crucial need for countries to prepare for transition and sustainability, Ms Destang-Richardson highlighted that the meeting will seek to strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills on private sector resource mobilization strategies.

Participants will also be updated on the support being provided by development and regional partners to assist countries to operationalize their programmes for fast-tracking their response.

Additionally, NAP Managers and Key Partners will be updated on the synergies among the three regional Global Fund projects in creating an enabling environment for increasing access to sexual and reproductive health and HIV services for people living with HIV and key populations.

The expected outcomes of the meeting include an agreement on approaches for integration as a key strategy for sustainability; strategies for sustaining HIV prevention, treatment and care services; summary of the gaps in the regional response and remaining challenges to achieving the 90-90-90 targets and support needed to address each of the three targets; achievements of the regional Global Fund grants to date; increased awareness of partners contributions to the targets of the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS (CRSF); Lessons learned from transition and sustainability exercise and Key policy issues for presentation to the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Ministers of Health in September 2018.

Ms Destang-Richardson concluded by underscoring the importance of the meeting’s outcomes to the HIV response, “As donor funding declines, countries need to plan for how they will transition away from external funding to increased domestic funding of their HIV response. I hope that we can effectively utilize this forum to create a roadmap for the next stage of the region’s response to HIV”.

– 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.

Editor’s Notes

Background to the National AIDS Programme Managers and Key Partners Meeting

The Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) 2014-2018 articulates the vision and collective priorities of Caribbean states through their membership in the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP). The core premise is that stemming the HIV epidemic in the Caribbean rests on the commitment, capacity and leadership of national authorities and effective response. The primary goal of regional collaborative efforts is to support country responses by addressing common challenges in the areas of evidence-based policy formulation, and innovative responses  to  addressing legislative gaps, resource mobilisation, coordination and technical assistance., An effective regional response, guided by the CRSF 2014-2018, therefore  requires that the links and interfaces between country programmes  and regional support programmes be defined and agreed to by country partners. This is critical for strengthening country ownership of the PANCAP response and a shared responsibility to strategically align efforts to end HIV as a public health problem in the Caribbean. .

The NAP (National AIDS Program) Managers and Key Partners Meeting provides an opportunity for joint decision-making in setting programmatic priorities and identifying partner contributions in order to strategically align efforts in the fight against HIV. The Meeting Agenda is intended to allow for in-depth analysis and discussion on the relevant aspects of the UN Post 2015 Agenda, and the overall advancements of the Caribbean Region in implementing new initiatives for HIV. It is within this context that opportunities and challenges for the Region and individual countries to expand the national responses will be discussed. PANCAP acknowledges the need for greater attention to inter- country linkages and greater collaboration with regional partners. This will serve to maximise synergies, and provide a mechanism for making regional public goods available to national programmes to enhance their delivery and impact.

^[1] 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

Wednesday, February 7 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, hosted H.E. Patrick Pengel, Minister of Public Health, Suriname at the opening of the Caribbean Regional Consultation of Key Populations and Religious Leaders on the Right to Health and Wellbeing for All in Paramaribo, Suriname, Wednesday, February 7.

In his feature address, His Excellency Patrick Pengel praised the initiative and stated that he was proud that Suriname is host to one of the first consultations between faith leaders and key populations in the Region. The key populations included sex workers, the LGBT community, the transgender community and youth.

“The Government of Suriname is honored that PANCAP brought this dialogue between Regional Faith Leaders and Regional Key Population Leaders to Suriname,” stated the Minister, “Suriname is known for its peaceful co-existence of a multi-ethnic, multi-religious population. It is our pride and our benchmark and will prove to be a fertile environment for this dialogue”.

He referred to the progress made in the world in the fight against HIV including the fact that 19.5 million people are reportedly now accessing anti-retroviral treatment but underscored that there are still another 17 million people left to access treatment.

The Minister posited “in Suriname, there are 2400 persons on treatment, this is a 60% increase from 2014 and the gap of persons still needing treatment is expected to swiftly decline as Suriname has officially committed to ‘Treat All’ on World AIDS Day 2017. However, there remains a gap of more than 40% of persons living with HIV in Suriname not accessing treatment. At least another 40% of persons living with HIV will be added to this number before this gap is sufficiently bridged”.

The Minister stated that the Region is progressing in eliminating Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis (EMTCT). He applauded the six Caribbean countries validated for EMTCT during the past World AIDS Day and stated that he is motivated by this achievement to work towards Suriname’s validation.

However, he warned that amidst these successes in the Caribbean, there are gaps that exist in access to treatment and prevention of HIV with regard to Men having Sex with Men, transgender, sex workers, youth at risk, women, elders, and persons who use drugs.

The Minister linked these gaps to the fear of stigma and discrimination by key populations. He stated, “Key populations are part of our communities. They are our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, colleagues, sport team members, our fellow churchgoers, our fellow human beings, they are us. Key populations are part of our communities. They are religious, they live, love, work, and contribute to our societies.

We are aware of the challenges existing between religious teachings and non-alignment with certain behaviors. We are not here to deny that gap, to force alliance no matter what. But we do think compassion for all and the opportunity of consolation through religion is a basic human right”.

The Minister further posited, “Religion is often a fundamental part of the life of human beings, certainly in our Caribbean Region. Even more so in those that are marginalized and ill. In illness, even non-religious persons often seek closure and healing in faith.
Thus, it is even more important to have faith leaders included in the discussion on the prevention and care of HIV. Even more important to have faith leaders informed about the facts and the myths in HIV care. Even more important to have faith leaders supporting messages that advocate for health”.

The Minister concluded by endorsing the engagement between faith leaders and key populations for creating a positive environment for partnerships between stakeholders in order to bridge gaps in universal access to health in general and specifically gaps in HIV and AIDS health services. “The Government of Suriname wishes to emphasize how honored and proud we are for having been chosen as a hosting location for this Regional Dialogue”, stated the Minister, “We are convinced that at the end of this consultation we will have closer alliances between all stakeholders involved, ensuring we are leaving no one behind on our journey to 90-90-90 and the right to health for all”.

– ENDS –

What is PANCAP?

PANCAP is a Caribbean regional partnership of governments, regional civil society organizations, regional institutions and organizations, 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

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

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?

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 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.

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

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 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.

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 and follow @pancaporg on Twitter

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.

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?

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.

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

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 –

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 Geneva | Sophie Barton-Knott | tel. +41 79 514 6896 | bartonknotts@unaids.org
UNAIDS Jamaica | Cedriann Martin | tel. +1 876-960-6536 | martinc@unaids.org