HP+ launches comprehensive package for healthcare workers and providers to address Gender-based Violence for clients of healthcare facilities in Jamaica
Image: JAMAICA | Representatives from the Bureau of Gender Affairs, HP+, Eve for Life, National Family Planning Board presenting the Comprehensive Package for Healthcare Workers and Providers to Mr Dunstan Bryan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Jamaica.
In January 2019, the Health Policy Plus (HP+) project presented Permanent Secretary (PS), Ministry of Health (MOH), Mr Dunstan Bryan with a Comprehensive Package for Healthcare Workers and Providers to Address Gender-based Violence for clients of healthcare facilities in Jamaica.
The package constitutes several elements and is a culmination of years of work done under the project with Gender-based Violence (GBV). It included a guideline document for healthcare workers and providers when dealing with known, suspected or potential clients who may be suffering from GBV.
The package also included a GBV Referral Directory with contact information for entities that provide GBV services including those for adolescence, information, education and communication (IEC) material in the form of a brochure with a self-assessment tool and a safety card, which is a small discreet card that can be kept by the client in case they need contact information for entities that provide GBV services.
The Ministry was also provided with “Recommendations for Mainstreaming GBV into the National HIV Response” and a Dissemination Plan for the material.
At the handover exercise, PS Bryan indicated that “he appreciates the work and help of the HP+ and agrees that the guidelines and materials are necessary to help not only staff but the public to combat GBV and HIV”.
Eve for Life (EFL) co-founder and Director of Impact, Joy Crawford, was the consultant for the project. Eve for Life is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded in 2008, to support women and children living with or affected by HIV and AIDS. EFL is seen as a champion for shaping a world where the sexual health and rights of young women and girls are protected and upheld. The organization is involved in extensive work in GBV.
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/