Archives: Media Releases

By Victoria Nibarger, PEPFAR Coordinator, Caribbean Regional Programme

During the week of 27 January 2019, the Caribbean Regional Program of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) kicked off its 2020 Regional Operational Planning process, which covers the FY21 implementation period.

Following two days of internal meetings, PEFPAR hosted a number of regional stakeholders in Kingston for a three-day strategic planning meeting.  Participants of the meeting reviewed FY20 achievements, current activities, and discussed the approaches needed to accelerate progress towards epidemic control.

Attendees included ministry of health officials, civil society representatives, private clinicians, multilateral organisation representatives, implementing partners, and others.

At the OECS Ministers Policy Meeting held in December 2019, the Caribbean Med Labs Foundation (CMLF) highlighted the achievements made by OECS Member States with respect to their laboratory services. During the meeting, Honourable Mary Issacs, Minister of Health and Wellness, Saint Lucia presented a Certificate to Antigua & Barbuda’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, recognising the achievement of Mount St. John’s Medical Centre (MSJMC) Laboratory in meeting Tier 1 requirements of the Caribbean Laboratory Quality Management Systems – Stepwise Improvement Process (LQMS-SIP) in August 2019.

Also recognised were Grenada and Saint Lucia for efforts regarding the National Laboratory Policy adoption.  Both countries have approved policies. Draft legislation and National Laboratory Policy have been submitted to the Attorney General’s Office by the respective Ministries of Health in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Kitts and Nevis. At a meeting of Permanent Secretaries, Chief Medical Officers and their representatives, hosted by CMLF in November 2019, a “common implementation plan” was developed for the adoption and implementation of national laboratory policies and legislation within the six OECS Member States that are participants in the OECS Global Fund Continuation Grant for HIV and TB Elimination (HTEP).

Under the HTEP, four OECS Member States, namely Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have received and introduced, with appropriate training, GeneXpert technology for molecular testing. The public laboratories in these countries have begun to utilise GeneXpert for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB) and drug resistance testing as well as for HIV Viral Load testing. GeneXpert testing has been integrated into the algorithm for TB diagnosis in these countries as part of their plans for TB Elimination. Plans are underway for expansion of testing to include Chlamydia and Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) for HIV.

Dominica and Saint Kitts and Nevis will receive GeneXpert technology and training early in 2020 under this GF HTEP. The introduction of this technology within the OECS represents a significant step forward for these small island states, in providing capacity to conduct molecular testing on this multiplex platform for a wide and expanding variety of infectious diseases.

In an important step forward, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has become the first OECS country to assign a separate budget to its public laboratory services. Discussions at both Ministers and National Lab Policy and Legislation Implementation meetings focused on strategies for addressing the ongoing challenge of financial and human resource deficiencies in these countries to improve resources for laboratory services.

Image: Mr Enrique Romero, Executive Director of the National AIDS Commission (NAC) during the Equal Opportunity Bill press conference

Belize’s Anti-Discrimination Steering Committee (ASC) has commenced public engagement and education on the proposed Equal Opportunity Bill (EOB).

The Bill intends to improve the lives of all Belizeans by ensuring equal access to public services, including health care.  The legislation aims to remove barriers so that all Belizeans can enjoy the same opportunities regardless of circumstances. It seeks to protect Belizeans from discrimination, harassment and victimisation. The areas of public life covered under the Bill include employment (full-time, part-time and casual), provision of goods and services, education, accommodation (including rental and hotel accommodation), sport, club and club membership, transfer of land and administration of laws and programming.

HIV Prevention and Care

The EOB makes specific reference to HIV prevention and care.  It prohibits screening for HIV regarding employment and education.  It promotes the implementation of sanctions for breaches of confidentiality regarding HIV status.  The legislation also advocates for allowing persons over the age of 16 to access HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevention, testing and treatment to lower risks of HIV transmission, sickness or death.

In addition, the EOB supports the formation of an Equal Opportunities Tribunal; a specialist court integrated into the Justice System with the rank of a supreme court.

Champions of the Bill

The organisations championing the EOB are the National AIDS Commission (NAC), the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation, Poverty Alleviation and the Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children.  Several prominent Belizeans and implementers are also lending their voices to advocate for the Bill including Mrs Kim Simplis Barrow, Special Envoy for Women and Children and Spouse of the Prime Minister, Mr Enrique Romero, Executive Director of the NAC, Attorney Randall Sheppard, Senior Crown Counsel in the Ministry of the Attorney General, and Attorney Rashad Brathwaite, independent consultant and legal drafter.

The ASC has engaged with several critical stakeholders to foster knowledge about the EOB including the National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB), National Trade Union Council of Belize (NTUCB), Christian Workers’ Union (CWU), etc.

In addition, a press conference was held to provide an overview of the Bill, including a background of how the legislation originated and how it will provide protection for all Belizeans.

The Bill will significantly enhance the quality of life in Belize by removing the systemic barriers to equality and empowering Belizeans to fulfil their potential and live happy, healthy and peaceful lives.

 – ENDS –

January 2020 – Belize City, Belize: The Anti-Discrimination Steering Committee hosted a press conference with Breaking Belize News, Channel 5, Channel 7, Krem News, Love News, Plus TV, and the Government of Belize Press Office.

During the meeting, journalists were provided with an overview of the Equal Opportunities Bill, including the background of how this legislation has come to be and how it will provide protection for all Belizeans and dismantle the systemic barriers to equality.

The organizations championing the Equal Opportunities Bill, namely the National AIDS Commission (NAC), the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation, Poverty Alleviation and the Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children, would like to thank the journalists who attended today’s meeting and engaged with the panel, composed of Mrs Kim Simplis Barrow (Special Envoy for Women and Children and Spouse of the Prime Minister), Mr Enrique Romero (Director Executive of the NAC), Attorney Randall Sheppard (Senior Crown Counsel in the Ministry of the Attorney General), and Attorney Rashad Brathwaite (independent consultant and legal drafter).

The goal of this legislation is to improve the lives of all Belizeans. The Bill will create a fairer society with improved public services, where businesses and everyday citizens can thrive. Our Constitution establishes the general principles for us to aspire to such a society, the Equal Opportunities Act will give us the practical tools and mechanisms to make this into a reality for all.

We encourage all Belizeans to make their voices heard. You too can take part in the consultation process around this Bill. Please send your submissions and requests for information or for a meeting with the technical team to the National AIDS Commission at the contact details below. We look forward to hearing from you.

National AIDS Commission

3803 Durgeon Drive, Coral Grove, Belize City

Email: info@nacbelize.org

Website: www.nacbelize.org

Facebook: National AIDS Commission

Office number & WhatsApp: 610-5051

January 2020, Belmopan, Belize: The Anti-Discrimination Steering Committee met with Pastor Scott Stirm, Pastor Lance Lewis, and Pastor Louis Wade of the National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB).

During the meeting, the NEAB Representatives were provided with an overview of the Equal Opportunities Bill, including on how the legislation operates in relation to people of faith. The Pastors expressed specific concerns about the Bill and engaged in constructive dialogue, which will continue. Clarifications were provided around how the legislation accommodates exceptions for religious organisations so as to ensure that freedom of expression and freedom of religion are respected.

The organizations championing the Equal Opportunities Bill, namely the National AIDS Commission (NAC), the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation, Poverty Alleviation and the Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children, would like to thank the NEAB representatives for accepting their request to meet and for engaging with the panel, composed of Mr Enrique Romero (Executive Director of the NAC), Mr Dwight Arnold (Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the NAC), and Attorney Rashad Brathwaite (independent consultant and legal drafter).

The goal of this legislation is to improve the life of all Belizeans. The Bill will create a fairer society with improved public services, where businesses and everyday citizens can thrive. Our Constitution establishes the general principles for us to aspire to such a society, the Equal Opportunities Act will give us the practical tools and mechanisms to make this into a reality for all.

We encourage all Belizeans to make their voices heard. You too can take part in the consultation process around this Bill. Please send your submissions and requests for information or for a meeting with the technical team to the National AIDS Commission at the contact details below. We look forward to hearing from you.

National AIDS Commission

3803 Durgeon Drive, Coral Grove, Belize City

Email: info@nacbelize.org

Website: www.nacbelize.org

Facebook: National AIDS Commission

Office number & WhatsApp: 610-5051

DAVOS/GENEVA, 23 January 2020—The Business Alliance to End AIDS by 2030, a public-private coalition co-hosted by UNAIDS and GBCHealth, was announced today in Davos, Switzerland, on the margins of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

The Business Alliance to End AIDS brings together forward-looking companies to strengthen cross-sector collaboration, build on common values and create spaces for effective collaboration. It aims to provide businesses with the necessary tools and support needed from public sector partners to help realize the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

Business has been and continues to be essential to the AIDS response, from challenging the stigma surrounding HIV, building innovative partnerships among companies across industries and implementing diagnosis, treatment and prevention programmes within workplaces and surrounding communities. However, these models need to operate to scale to meet the gaps in investment and implementation needed to meet the target of ending AIDS by 2030.

“Today, every single company must make a positive contribution to the societies they serve—this is not an option, this is an imperative. Beyond reaching their economic objectives, companies must deliver social and environmental impact. The private sector has a key role to play in the multisectoral response to HIV. Businesses must ensure that their employees, their suppliers and communities receive life-saving HIV treatment, prevention and care programmes. Together, we can end AIDS by 2030,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

“Realizing a world free of AIDS is beyond the reach of one company. Business as usual will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, nor will innovation by a few pioneers. This agenda will require collaboration across sectors, supply chains and economic systems, as well as innovative partnerships with governments and civil society. We at Anglo American are committed to be part of the Business Alliance to End AIDS by 2030 and urge other businesses to join our collective efforts,” said Nolitha Fakude, Chairperson of Anglo American’s Management Board in South Africa.

“Responding to HIV matters to business, and businesses have been leaders in the global AIDS response for over two decades. Business innovations in products and services, relationships with employees, consumers and policymakers, core capabilities and logistics, data analytics, marketing and financial resources can all help to fill the gaps in publicly funded HIV testing, prevention and treatment programmes. Forward-thinking businesses are needed to help develop holistic solutions and manage risk. We are at a crossroads. The future will be determined by what we do today,” said Nancy Wildfeir-Field, President of GBCHealth.

The Business Alliance to End AIDS by 2030 will act as a vehicle and a collective voice to disseminate best practices through public platforms, their companies and their respective supply chains. In addition, it will serve as a collective body to help shape regulations and policies that support HIV prevention and treatment programmes and end HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

For further information on the Business Alliance to End AIDS by 2030 and how you can join, please contact Frauke Joosten at joostenvegliof@unaids.org.

– The Washington Post and other media outlets reported that the social media company began taking down ads for lawsuits against Gilead Sciences regarding the drug Truvada following a widespread outcry from LGBT and HIV groups and health experts.

Facebook is taking down misleading advertisements regarding a drug used to prevent HIV following complaints from several organizations and experts.

The Washington Post and other outlets reported Monday that the social media giant had started to quietly remove the ads, placed by personal injury lawyers for lawsuits alleging that Gilead Sciences’ Truvada (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent the spread of HIV, were linked to kidney problems and reduced bone density.

Despite widespread outcry from LGBT organizations, health experts and others, the company had initially declined to remove the ads. PrEP is commonly used among LGBT people and others who are considered at high risk of contracting HIV.

Truvada has been known to cause renal impairment and loss of bone density in some patients – as stated in the drug’s package insert – but the drug’s benefits are widely regarded as outweighing the risks. Indeed, Gilead won Food and Drug Administration for a newer drug, Descovy (emtricitabine, tenofovir alafenamide) for PrEP in October, based on that drug’s lower incidence of kidney and bone problems, but some interviewed experts said they would still use Truvada in many patients anyway because the older drug is well-tolerated. Truvada is also expected to become available as a generic later this year.

An analysis of the ads’ claims published in July concluded that they were misleading because they lacked context, suggesting that the risks of kidney damage and loss of bone density were the same for those taking Truvada as a preventive treatment as they were for patients taking it to treat existing HIV infection.

Dozens of LGBT and HIV advocacy groups signed on to a Dec. 9 open letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg asking him to remove the ads from Facebook and Instagram as they risk scaring HIV-negative people from using Truvada to prevent infection.

“By allowing these advertisements to persist on their platforms, Facebook and Instagram are convincing at-risk individuals to avoid PrEP, invariably leading to avoidable HIV infections,” the letter read. “You are harming public health.”

The ads are but one example of how Facebook has often served as fertile ground for misleading and potentially dangerous health claims. In November, a study by researchers at George Washington University and the University of Maryland and published in the journal Vaccine found that of 500 vaccine-related ads examined, 54% were opposed to vaccination, and only two organizations – the World Mercury Project and Stop Mandatory Vaccination – were responsible for all of them. And in 2018, Facebook deleted dozens of pages related to alternative medicine, some of which had as many 3.6 million followers.

Charlot Jeudy, the President of Haiti’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community organization Kouraj, was found dead at his home in November 2019. Investigations into the circumstances of his death are ongoing. The Region remembers Mr Jeudy as a fearless campaigner for human rights.

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in 2010, the people of Haiti worked to overcome the loss of homes, businesses, public services and more than 100 000 lives. But amid the shared trauma and determination, a harmful narrative emerged.

Some people began to blame the masisi—a derogatory Haitian Creole term for gay men. They thought that the disaster was a divine punishment for the sins of the LGBT community. Members of sexual and gender minorities found themselves subject to intensified exclusion and abuse. Human rights organizations documented cases of LGBT people being denied access to emergency housing, food, health care and work. There were also reports of physical assaults and homophobic rape.

Rather than accept the situation, Charlot Jeudy decided to act. He created Kouraj, which means courage in Haitian Creole. In the struggle for equal rights, Kouraj emphasized the importance of community empowerment and aimed to inspire pride and confidence among LGBT people.

“We wish to put forward an alternative discourse on homosexuality in Haiti because for too long only homophobes have discussed our reality and proposed their own interpretation,” Mr Jeudy said in 2011.

Over the next eight years, Kouraj evolved to offer community training, legal and psychosocial services and sexual health education. It became one of Haiti’s leading advocates for ending discrimination against LGBT people and has played a key role in resisting the introduction of discriminatory laws.

The organization was aptly named. Its members have contended with verbal abuse and death threats. Three years ago, it had to cancel a festival to celebrate the Afro-Caribbean LGBT community after numerous threats of violence. According to friends, Mr Jeudy resisted their pleas to leave the country at the time. In response to a spike in reports of anti-LGBT street violence last year, he worked with the United Nations on a project to promote tolerance and equal rights.

John Waters, Programme Manager of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition, paid tribute to Mr Jeudy’s leadership.

“I have watched Charlot Jeudy grow from a young, impatient and impassioned activist into a thoughtful, strategic leader, capable of using human rights not as a sword, but as a shield,” said Mr Waters. “He won over the hearts and minds of others to create allies. Mr Jeudy has left a huge gap in human rights work in the Caribbean. He raised the bar for those who must now follow in his footsteps.”

Mr Jeudy was also an active civil society representative on the body that oversees the management of Haiti’s response to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

“Under Charlot Jeudy’s leadership, Kouraj was a model partner,” said Fritz Moise, Executive Director of the Foundation for Reproductive Health and Family Education. “His death is a big loss for the response to HIV in Haiti.”

“Charlot Jeudy exemplified the power of communities to be the voice for the voiceless and to make meaningful change in people’s lives,” said UNAIDS Country Director for Haiti, Mame Awa Faye. “This World AIDS Day we celebrated the power of communities to make a difference. Mr Jeudy did just that.”

PANCAP extends condolences to the family and colleagues of Charlot Jeudy.