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HIV services at your fingertipsThe National AIDS Commission Belize launches HIV mobile App

October 22, 2018
Image: National AIDS Commission (NAC) Belize Mobile App

The National AIDS Commission (NAC) Belize has launched the country’s first HIV services mobile App.  As part of the HIV, AIDS, and Tuberculosis (TB) response in Belize, the NAC collaborated with software development firm LXJ Code Belize to develop and launch the App, which is now available on both IOS and Android platforms.

According to the NAC, the app is a readily available source of information on all the major HIV service facilities in the country. It provides the user with real-time data on the nearest health facility, services offered, location, links the user to the service providers’ Facebook and website for more information and provides timely updates on upcoming events from varying partner agencies within Belize’s HIV response. The NAC Health Services App is meant to function as a gateway that links innovation and necessity.
The NAC highlighted that the creation of the App became necessary due to the lack of readily available knowledge on HIV services available in Belize. The commission views this as one of the main barriers to achieving the 90-90-90 Targets as Belizeans have reported not having adequate information on available HIV services.

In 2016, the NAC in collaboration with CODE-IT launched its first app, titled “Infections”. The gaming app was designed to engage users in a fun and interactive gaming experience while imparting key knowledge about HIV and AIDS. This app was a pioneering effort and was recognized as one of the most innovative communication strategies in the region. “Infections” is free for download at the Google Play store.

For more information on both Apps, visit the NAC’s website.

WHAT IS PANCAP?

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

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

If targets and commitments in the strategy are achieved:

  • The number of people who newly acquire HIV will decrease from 1.7 million in 2019 to less than 370 000 by 2025
  • The number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses will decrease from 690 000 in 2019 to less than 250 000 in 2025.
  • The goal of eliminating new HIV infections among children will see the number of new HIV infections drop from 150,000 in 2019 to less than 22,000 in 2025.

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

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

HELPFUL LINKS:

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

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