Media Releases – Page 5

National AIDS Commission (NAC) Belize Equips Civil Society Organisations with PPE

In September, Mr Enrique Romero, Executive Director, National AIDS Commission (NAC) Belize, presented personal protective equipment (PPE), specifically face shields, to members of civil society organizations (CSOs).

The donation was made possible through support from PANCAP’s COVID-19 (C19RM) grant, of which Belize is a beneficiary.

The beneficiaries included Belize Family Life Association – BFLA, “Our Circle”, United Belize Advocacy Movement – Unibam, Belize Trans Colors, Empower Yourself Belize Movement – EYBM, Belize Youth Empowerment For Change – BYEC and Helpage Belize.

Additional PPE for CSOs are forthcoming and will be presented at a later date.

COVID-19 Has Devastated HIV and TB Services According to New Global Fund Report

Washington, DC – New data released by the Global Fund today shows that COVID-19 had a devastating impact on the fight against AIDS and tuberculosis in 2020, and it makes clear the critically important role of emergency support provided by the U.S. as part of the American Rescue Plan.

For the first time in the history of the Global Fund, key programmatic results in the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria have gone backwards, the annual results report showed. About one million fewer people with TB were treated in 2020 compared with 2019. For drug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant TB, testing and treatment declined by a staggering 19% and 37%, respectively. Until COVID-19 arrived, TB killed more people globally than any other infectious disease and is now the second deadliest infectious disease in the world.

HIV continues to hit young women and girls the hardest. Every week, 5,000 adolescent girls and young women are infected with HIV in east and southern Africa. But in 2020, 11% fewer people were reached with HIV prevention programs and services. HIV tests declined by 22%. For HIV treatment, children have been left furthest behind, with only 54% getting the lifesaving HIV treatment they need.

Malaria programming fared better through the pandemic, but progress against the disease – which killed over 400,000 people in 2019 — has stalled.

Yet the impact of COVID-19 today would have been even worse without support from the United States and other countries, whose investments allowed the Global Fund to move with speed and scale to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on HIV, TB and malaria in 2020.

In 2021, the United States committed an additional $3.5 billion to the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism as part of the American Rescue Plan. The COVID-19 Response Mechanism is helping to support innovations like delivering malaria bed nets door-to-door, dispensing multi-month supplies of TB and HIV drugs and using digital tools to monitor TB treatment.

For example, with the Global Fund’s support, in Nigeria, the National AIDS Council tested for both COVID-19 and HIV simultaneously, helping the country find more HIV-positive people. Most malaria campaigns quickly adapted to COVID-19, avoiding large disruptions, and the number of children protected through Seasonal Chemoprevention Campaigns has increased.

U.S. emergency funding has also made a direct and tangible impact on the COVID-19 response in low- and middle-income countries receiving Global Fund grants. The emergency U.S. funds are being used to shore up health systems, scale-up COVID-19 rapid testing and provide desperately needed therapeutics like oxygen. As of August 2021, $3.3 billion had been approved for 107 countries and 16 multi-country programs through the COVID-19 Response Mechanism and flexibilities within existing grants.

As the Delta variant tore through India earlier this year, the Global Fund was able to fast-track $75 million to the country to purchase oxygen concentrators and Pressure Swing Adsorption oxygen plants. When Delta caused a surge of COVID-19 cases in Uganda, the Global Fund was able to support the country’s urgent order for additional PPE and COVID-19 tests. As of July 5, the Global Fund had delivered 2.5 million diagnostic tests to Uganda.

“I want to thank Congress for providing a significant infusion of COVID-19 funding to the Global Fund during a critical and terrifying time. The new data confirms that COVID-19 has had a devastating impact and also makes clear how crucial U.S. support continues to be,” said Chris Collins, president and CEO of Friends of the Global Fight. “Next year’s data will be even more shocking if we do not step up and increase investments in global health. The lives of millions of people are now on the line. With dangerous new COVID-19 variants wreaking havoc, particularly in low-income countries, the United States and its partners must do more to make sure that 20 years of progress against AIDS, TB and malaria won’t come undone.”

Dr Jeffrey L. Sturchio, Friends’ Board Chair and chairman at Rabin Martin, a global health strategy consulting firm, agreed.

“Let’s not forget that the Global Fund has been remarkably effective, saving 44 million lives since 2002. It has weathered the crisis of operating during a global pandemic, but it needs more resources. The world can’t afford to backslide any further on fighting AIDS, TB and malaria. Investments to end these epidemics will also help to strengthen health systems to meet the dual challenges of addressing COVID-19 and preparing for future pandemics.”

Belize to implement HIV Self-testing

The National AIDS Commission (NAC) Belize announced that the country is preparing to launch HIV Self Testing, an innovative service delivery model, during the new Global Fund grant cycle.

HIV self-testing is a process whereby a person collects saliva or pinprick blood specimen, performs a test, and receives the result privately. Evidence shows that self-testing is safe and accurate and increases testing uptake among people who may not test otherwise. It offers a way to make testing discreet, comfortable, and empowering.

Self-testing will also help ensure that HIV diagnosis does not decline during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a comprehensive strategy.

COVID-19 vaccines were not developed overnight “humanity was lucky” — Guyanese virologist at Pfizer

Principal Research Scientist at the United States drug maker Pfizer, Dr Vidia Roopchand, has sought to dispel concerns that COVID vaccines were developed overnight but said they date back to the fight against two other coronaviruses.

He said research in tackling Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the early 2000s and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2012 formed the basis for developing vaccines for COVID-19.

“A lot of people don’t realise this, but people have been working on coronaviruses for at least the last 20 years because the first SARS came out in 2001, so people have been working on a spike for SARS and other coronaviruses for a long time… so SARS and MERS allowed us, meaning the virology community,…to make all of these structural substitutions,” he said.

Speaking on a University of Guyana (UG)-organised webinar on the topic “SARS COV-2 (Covid-19) Viral Physiology and Vaccine Development”, he explained that coronaviruses, including many of the common cold viruses, have been infecting humans for a long time. They include the Human coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1), which has been causing respiratory problems for many years.

“People have been studying coronaviruses for a while, but when SARS occurred, people started taking notice, and around that time, there was a revolution in structural biology,” he said, adding that the technology advanced in making images of crystals. He said after MERS came on the scene, scientists said coronaviruses were not as innocuous as they used to think, resulting in them being able to examine gene and protein sequences.

He said the evidence shows that the Pfizer jab is neutralising the Delta variant, even as he urged more people to be inoculated to reduce the chance of other variants. Dr Roopchand urged people to visit the United States Food and Drug Administration’s website to examine the data on the vaccine.

The Virologist said the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine comprises an RNA sequence, lipids, some salt, sugars, and other constituents.

He said the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had granted Emergency Use Authorisation, based on the efficacy, even as trials continued. The FDA has since granted full authorisation for adults, while emergency authorisation continues for children from 12 years upwards. The US government recently donated 146,000 doses of the Pfizer jab for inoculating mainly adolescents as part of a “back-to-classroom” plan from September 6, 2021.

While there is a perception among some persons that scientists do not believe in God, he stressed that “I do believe in God and I think that something like this makes me believe in God even more because everything works and we were able to make this vaccine.”

The Principal Researcher at Pfizer said the efficacy of the polio vaccine lasts a lifetime because the entire virus had been used for that vaccine, but RNA was now being used for the first time in the manufacture of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr Persaud received his early education at the Methodist Primary on Wakenaam Island, Essequibo River and then the Anna Regina Multilateral School before going to the University of Guyana. He later obtained higher qualifications in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University.

PANCAP welcomes Ms Simone Jackson, PEPFAR Coordinator, Caribbean Regional Program, Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy (S/GAC)

From the Desk of the Director, Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP):

Dear Partners,

Please join me in welcoming our new PEPFAR Coordinator, Ms Simone Jackson, who is based at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica. Most recently, she served as Internal Political Unit Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil (2018-2021). Simone will oversee the United States’ assistance to combat HIV and AIDS in Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. I anticipate engaging with Simone to strengthen the Region’s HIV response and plan the way forward as we continue to navigate COVID-19. I wish her the best in her new leadership role to advance PEPFAR’s support and serve the region.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Rosmond Adams

Biography

Ms Simone Jackson, PEPFAR Coordinator, Caribbean Regional Program, Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy (S/GAC)

Simone Jackson is the PEPFAR Coordinator for the Caribbean Regional Program based at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica.

She joined the U.S. Department of State in 2003 and most recently served as Internal Political Unit Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil (2018-2021). Previous overseas assignments include Management Section Chief in Luanda, Angola (2014-2015), Refugee and Humanitarian Affairs Officer in Islamabad, Pakistan (2011-2013), Deputy Economic Counselor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2010-2011), Economic Officer in Mexico City, Mexico (2006-2008), and Visa Section Chief in Sanaa, Yemen (2004-2006).

Simone has also served in Washington as the Senior Economic Officer in the Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs (2016-2018), Energy Officer for Turkey and the Caucuses in the Bureau of Energy Resources (2015-2016), and Program Officer in the Office of Refugee Admissions (2008-2010).

Simone is originally from Miami, Florida and holds a Bachelor’s in International Affairs and Economics from George Washington University. She is married to a fellow Foreign Service Officer; they have two daughters and a son.

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The Global Fund Continues to Support the Regional HIV Response

The Caribbean Region ranks among the top eight areas globally with the highest number of new HIV infections. Over the past decade, there have been significant strides in the Region in decreasing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, decreasing deaths from AIDS, providing more Persons Living with HIV with life-saving Antiretroviral Drugs (ARVs), and supporting persons on medications in attaining viral suppression. This has resulted in a reduction in HIV transmission and improved quality of life.

However, significant challenges remain. Although 77% of the estimated 330,000 Persons Living with HIV in the Caribbean overall have been tested and are aware of their status, and 81% of those diagnosed are on life-saving medications, with 80% of those on medications attaining viral suppression, progress has not been uniform across the Caribbean.

The Region has also not been able to stem the occurrence of new infections. These disproportionately affect socially marginalized key populations, including men who have sex with men, sex workers, adolescent girls, and young women.

The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted several vital services essential for the control of HIV in the Region. For example, prevention services have seen a steep decline while testing services in many countries have fallen off, and community outreach has come to a halt.

Considering these disruptions and the potential that the pandemic can take us off track, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria continues to support the Region to implement mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of services for HIV.

Through the support of the Global Fund, countries are implementing HIV self-testing initiatives to reach key populations and those who have difficulties accessing testing services. The Global Fund is also supporting community efforts and strengthening Civil Society Organisations’ capacity to reach communities most in need and offer the services they require, such as home delivery of ARVs and other commodities.

The Global Fund continues to be one of the most significant donor agencies supporting HIV work in the Caribbean.

PANCAP welcomes the Adoption of the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS

The Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) has been engaged over the past months with Member States and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to prepare for the United Nations High-level meeting on HIV.

This High-level Meeting is expected to be the springboard for a decade of action to reduce inequalities and root out the social determinants that fuel the HIV epidemic. All Member States were encouraged to participate in this meeting and to let their voices be heard. CSOs were especially encouraged to be part of country delegations since they play an important role in supporting the national and regional response.

The High-level Meeting is a call to action for Caribbean countries to recognize that despite the progress in the Region, there is still a lot of work to be done to fill the existing gaps. Countries must seize the opportunity to maintain their focus and commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

PANCAP is pleased to see the progress represented by the new Political Declaration. Although we would have loved to see stronger language in some areas, and we are disappointed by some critical omissions and weaknesses in the Declaration, the Partnership pledges to continue working with all stakeholders in the Region to ensure that these are addressed as work towards ending AIDS continues.

There is much to welcome in the Political Declaration. PANCAP is pleased to see that key populations were named. This will ensure that the focus and response are placed where needed. Key populations have been at the heart of community-led responses to HIV for 40 years. Their continued leadership, along with the leadership of other vulnerable populations – women, adolescents and young people, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities – is essential and deserves greater recognition.

For this Political Declaration to mean something to the people affected and impacted by HIV, it must be supported at the highest level, and it must be backed with the financial and other needed resources.

Let us work together to ensure that this Declaration is not only words on paper but also means something to those crying out for our help. Lets us all work together to END AIDS.

Guyana will make HIV-related discrimination illegal, address needs of LGBTI community – President Irfaan Ali

In a landmark speech to a United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS on Tuesday, President Irfaan Ali declared that Guyana would make HIV-related discrimination illegal and address the needs of key populations.

Guyana looks to end AIDS as a public health threat in the next ten years.

President Ali said that Guyana would make discrimination against people with HIV “unacceptable, illegal, and punitive, throughout society, including Government, the private sector and civil society.”

He said that in the coming years, Guyana would strive to reach “vulnerable groups such as LGBTI (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex), sex workers and immigrants.”

The President said Guyana would focus on integrating mental health in all HIV policies and programmes and transforming the current paper-based HIV monitoring system into an IT-based system.

“The Government of Guyana is fully committed to providing universal access to prevention, care and treatment for everyone living with HIV or living under the threat of HIV infections,” the President stated.

He noted that Guyana’s HIV programme results are among the best in the Caribbean. A total of 95% of those living with HIV have been diagnosed. Seventy-three (73%) percent who are aware of their HIV status are on treatment and, almost nine out of every ten of these were virally suppressed.

He also noted that over the past 20 years, Guyana had reduced new HIV infections by more than half in Guyana. While impressive, like many countries around the world, we came close but missed the UN 2020 90-90-90 Targets. In the 2021-2025 period, Guyana is committed to reaching the new UNAIDS global 95-95-95 goal.

According to the President, Guyana has already embarked on a comprehensive Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis programme, ensuring that anyone, anywhere in Guyana, who is at risk of an HIV infection, can access Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

“Another innovative focus of our comprehensive response is increasing self-testing,” the President stated.

“We have already integrated testing, diagnosis and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases in our primary health care system. In addition, we are committed to the elimination of gonorrhoea and syphilis in our maternal population.”

See the President’s full speech below:

Secretary-General;

Distinguish Heads of State;

Other Distinguish Delegates;

When my country launched its HIV National Strategic Plan 2021-2025, we re-committed to the UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy, which aspires to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

The Government of Guyana is fully committed to providing universal access to prevention, care and treatment for everyone living with HIV or living under the threat of HIV infections.

Guyana’s HIV programme results are among the best in the Caribbean. A total of 95% of those living with HIV have been diagnosed. Seventy-three (73%) percent who are aware of their HIV status are on treatment and, almost nine out of every ten of these were virally suppressed.

Over the past 20 years, Guyana has reduced new HIV infections by more than half in Guyana. While impressive, like many countries around the world, we came close but missed the UN 2020 90-90-90 targets. In the 2021-2025 period, Guyana is committed to reaching the new UNAIDS global 95-95-95 goal.

Guyana has already embarked on a comprehensive Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis programme, ensuring that anyone, anywhere in Guyana, who is at risk of an HIV infection, can access Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

Another innovative focus of our comprehensive response is increasing self-testing. We have already integrated testing, diagnosis and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases in our primary health care system. In addition, we are committed to the elimination of gonorrhoea and syphilis in our maternal population.

Other key areas of focus in Guyana for the coming period include:

Making the discrimination of HIV unacceptable, illegal, and punitive, throughout society, including Government, the private sector and civil society;

Reaching vulnerable groups such as LGBTI, sex workers and immigrants;

Integrating mental health in all HIV policies and programmes and transforming the current paper-based HIV monitoring system into an IT-based system.

Guyana is keen on ensuring that these areas of focus are reflected in the 2021 Political Declaration.

Distinguished Delegates,

As we gather again for another High-Level Conference on HIV, as we observe the 25th anniversary of the formation of UNAIDS, the global inequity that facilitated AIDS to leave a trail of death for forty years is very much evident as we combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The truth is we still live in two very different worlds. COVID-19 vaccine inequity is a moral dilemma.

Our 2021 Political Declaration emanating out of this meeting must ensure funding for UNAIDS and the Global Fund.

This 2021 High-Level meeting must become a trigger for concerted and sustained action over the next decade to root out the conditions that contribute to and fuel the HIV pandemic.

I thank you.

Caribbean stakeholders call for focus on key populations and community-led approaches to HIV and COVID-19

Caribbean partners from governments, civil society and the development community met on 7 June to discuss regional priorities for the 2021 United Nations High-Level Meeting on AIDS and its resulting political declaration. The virtual Caribbean Caucus was hosted by the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) and moderated by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Assistant Secretary-General, Dr Douglas Slater.

The PANCAP Director, Dr Rosmond Adams, noted that the Caribbean had made significant progress in key aspects of the HIV response. Eight countries and territories have been validated by the World Health Organization for eliminating vertical HIV and syphilis transmission. And between 2010 and 2020, AIDS-related deaths in the region fell by half (51%).

But to get on track to end AIDS by 2030, he said Caribbean countries must step up the pace around prevention, testing, treatment, care and ending stigma and discrimination. By 2020, 82% of people living with HIV in the region were diagnosed. Two thirds (67%) of all people living with HIV were on treatment, and 59% were virally suppressed.

While new HIV infections have fallen by 28% since 2010, the rate of decline is too slow. Overall, members of key population communities and their partners accounted for 60% of new HIV infections in 2020. Around one-third of new HIV infections were among young people aged 15–24 years.

Speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV (CRN+), Ms Diana Weekes noted that key structural barriers continue to block access to HIV prevention, treatment and care services. These include “stigma and discrimination … lack of privacy, breach of confidentiality and limited redress” when people’s rights have been violated. She noted that no country in the region had adopted the CARICOM Model Anti-discrimination legislation, which was developed almost a decade ago. CRN+ called for greater emphasis on policy and legislative changes and community-led responses to address these structural barriers.

Mr Ivan Cruickshank, the Executive Director of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC), pointed to regional data that show that HIV disproportionately affects key populations, including gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers and people who use drugs.

“According to the latest UNAIDS report, nations with progressive laws and policies, as well as robust and inclusive health systems, have had the best HIV outcomes. Therefore, we must create inclusive societies in which people are confident in their ability to seek medical treatment and exercise their social and economic rights. We must go beyond declarations to remove laws that continue to criminalize communities and limit young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health and rights,” Mr Cruickshank said.

The Guyana Health Minister and Caribbean representative on the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board, Dr Frank Anthony, reaffirmed the region’s commitment to the HIV response, saying that “governments in the region stand ready to do their part in ending AIDS by 2030.”

He pointed to longstanding challenges in the region, such as “removing the legal obstacles that foster discriminatory practices” and “prevention sustainability.” But he also emphasized the new threat posed by COVID-19, noting that “finite financial resources had to be reprogrammed to meet these urgent demands.” He called for increased vaccine equity and a review of plans to transition countries in the region away from international HIV funding.

“We must use the platform available to us at this United Nations High-level meeting to ensure that we highlight our vulnerabilities to the HIV epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

During discussions, civil society participants also emphasized the profound negative impact of COVID-19 containment measures on lives and livelihoods. They said there was an additional need for solutions to provide nutrition, mental health and financial support to People Living with HIV and members of key population communities.

The Director of the UNAIDS New York Liaison Office, Mr César Núñez, noted that in response to both HIV and COVID-19, the role of communities is clear.

“The response must include a key role for civil society at the table when frameworks are being put together and implemented,” he said.

Mr Núñez ended by calling for CARICOM’s support in securing an ambitious, action-oriented and laser-focused political declaration.

PANCAP Meeting opens with Call to sustain HIV Response as Public Health Systems are challenged with COVID-19

Wednesday, 2 June 2021 (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 Second Special Meeting of National AIDS Programme (NAP) Managers and Key Partners (Virtual), Wednesday, 2 June 2021. The three-day meeting focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on national and regional HIV programmes. The meeting also discussed how countries are coping and adjusting programme delivery during COVID-19 to ensure sustainability.

In his opening remarks, Dr Rosmond Adams, Director, PANCAP, acknowledged that COVID-19 had exposed weaknesses in health systems at the global, regional and national levels. “It is important for us to ensure that the gains made against HIV that are threatened by the disruptions caused by the pandemic are maintained and that we continue to work as a Region to end AIDS by 2030”, stated Dr Adams.

Dr Adams underscored that the epidemic is fueled by stigma and discrimination, marginalisation and criminalisation of communities and lack of access to health, education and other essential services. He also emphasised that the widening inequity gaps further compounded these factors. Key populations and their partners continue to be disproportionately affected by the epidemic.

The PANCAP Director reiterated PANCAP’s commitment to work with countries and Key Partners to ensure that no one is left behind. “We will continue to advocate for increased domestic funding for HIV”, stated Dr Adams, “We continue to encourage countries to engage Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and communities by investing in civil society and community-led responses that tailor approaches to the needs of affected communities, particularly Key Populations, and to build strong primary health care systems that can deliver quality, people-centred care”.

Mr Tyrone Ellis, Chair, Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (CRN+), led the meeting in a moment of silence to acknowledge persons who have died from AIDS and COVID-19 in the past year.

“With access to overall health care reduced during this pandemic, lockdowns and physical distancing exposed marginalised populations to a host of other threats including intimate partner violence, income loss, homelessness, and anxiety,” stated the CRN+ Chair. He expressed gratitude to health care professionals for continuing to offer HIV prevention, treatment, care and support during COVID-19.

Ms Aldora Robinson, Director of Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit, Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services, Turks and Caicos Islands, underscored that there are still gaps in HIV services. She urged stakeholders to find ways to link mental health resources and People Living with HIV (PLHIV). She explained that this intervention would make HIV care and treatment for clients more impactful and holistic, especially during COVID-19. She also illustrated how COVID-19 has disrupted services, interrupted supply chains and caused persons to access HIV prevention, care and treatment differently. “These disruptions must be overcome, and lessons must be learned as we move forward”, stated Ms Robinson.

Ms Victoria Nibarger, PEPFAR Coordinator, Caribbean Regional Program, reiterated the U.S. Government’s gratitude to NAP Managers, CSO representatives and key stakeholders for their continued commitment to combating HIV, especially with the COVID-19 challenge. She highlighted that the U.S. Government had provided more than $55 Million United States dollars in assistance to Caribbean countries to help meet COVID-19 related needs. “These funds have supported emergency response, risk communications, surveillance, lab capacity, and more”, stated the PEPFAR Coordinator, “ In addition, specific to HIV, our Caribbean team has provided critical food and travel support for vulnerable individuals, as well as personal protective equipment and sanitisers, helping to keep both clients and healthcare workers safe”.

Ms Nibarger highlighted that the Region could anticipate additional new funding via the American Rescue Plan Act, to support the recovery of HIV programmes from COVID-19 related impact and prevent further damage. “For Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago alone, we have received approval for an additional $1 million United States dollars in assistance, which will help meet needs in lab, mental health, vaccine advocacy, and more,” stated the PEPFAR Coordinator.

In addition, Ms Nibarger explained that the Caribbean Regional PEPFAR Program received approval for the next Regional Operational Plan. “We are so happy to report that we have received a budget increase, to more than $23 Million United States dollars, which we will use to support activities in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as regional programming via PANCAP”, stated the PEPFAR Coordinator. She also said that PEPFAR is pleased to have the opportunity to extend programming in Guyana, where an additional $1.5 Million United States dollars will be provided to the government and civil society partners through fall 2022.

“We also have separate PEPFAR programmes in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, so it’s a robust presence across the Caribbean – and a signal of our unwavering commitment to working hand-in-hand to see an AIDS-free future for the Region,” stated Ms Nibarger.

Dr James Guwani, Director, UNAIDS Caribbean Sub-Regional Office, declared that 2021 was a year of renewal — an opportunity to take stock of progress, reflect on lessons learned, and lay the groundwork for more optimised HIV responses in the future. He acknowledged the achievements of National AIDS Programmes and Health Ministries, supported by civil society and the development community to provide treatment to all despite challenges with existing antiretroviral therapy protocols. He reported that at the end of 2020, 82% of PLHIV in the Caribbean were diagnosed, two-thirds of PLHIV were on treatment, and 59% of PLHIV were virally suppressed.

Dr Guwani highlighted that the expansion of rapid testing, community-based testing and more streamlined lab services has contributed to four in five PLHIV being aware of their status by the end of 2020. However, he underscored that there is a clear path toward even better results.

While referring to the need to address the social determinants that lead to new HIV infections, delayed diagnosis and poor adherence, Dr Guwani urged all stakeholders to ensure that their concerns are included in the 2021 Political Declaration. He also advocated for all stakeholders to participate at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS 2021.

Mr Dean Chambliss, Sub-regional Director for the Caribbean, PAHO/WHO, reiterated PAHO’s commitment to working with its Member States to expand HIV prevention and treatment services based on global evidence-based interventions; while at the same time ensuring universal access and coverage are guaranteed for everyone, including vulnerable populations

He advised that as countries advance in the expansion and provision of high-quality HIV prevention and treatment services, it was necessary to note that achieving universal access and coverage requires a robust integrated approach. The approach should include integrating services for HIV within primary care facilities and other health conditions, such as other sexually transmitted infections that have not received the same level of attention as HIV. “Global evidence clearly shows a link between STIs and HIV, and therefore an investment in STIs is an investment in HIV prevention”, stated Mr Chambliss.

He explained that the integration of HIV with Viral hepatitis is of utmost significance as countries advance with the implementation of Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) for key populations. “We know that both Hepatitis B and C are bloodborne, share similar modes of transmission as HIV, and affect key populations”, stated Mr Chambliss, “WHO estimates that Hepatitis C virus affects 2–15% of PLHIV worldwide and up to 90% of those are people who inject drugs”. He also emphasised that Chronic Hepatitis B viral infection affects an estimated 5–20% of PLHIV.

Based on PAHO’s estimates for the Caribbean, there are approximately 887,000 people chronically infected with Hepatitis B and 240,000 with chronic hepatitis C. The profiles of these individuals are unknown. Therefore, integrating services for viral hepatitis with HIV will spotlight the public health problem while giving the Region better information on who is affected.

Dr Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, CARICOM Secretariat, applauded the Region’s Public Health workers. He indicated that a key objective during this time is protecting the gains made in the HIV response as Public Health systems are challenged with managing COVID-19.

He also acknowledged the immense gains the Region has made in the HIV response. “Through collaborative efforts of CARICOM-PANCAP and Member States, the Caribbean has seen significant achievements at the end of 2019, including a decline in overall regional prevalence from 2.2 % to less than 1.1% in 2019; a decrease in new HIV infections by 29% in the Region since 2010, a reduction in AIDS-related deaths by 37% since 2010 and total antiretroviral treatment coverage for the Region was 63%–71% for women and 56% for men (compared to 5% in 2001).

Dr Slater recognised the tremendous progress with the Elimination of Mother-to-child Transmission of HIV in eight countries, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Montserrat and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The ASG underscored that beyond COVID-19, the Region’s HIV response mandate had expanded significantly with the new targets set out in the UNAIDS’ “Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026, End Inequalities, End AIDS.” He reminded participants that Member States have bold new targets and policies to be reached by 2025.

“We already have a roadmap for achieving the targets of the new strategy”, stated Dr Slater, “the theme of ending inequalities and access to health for all is embodied in the PANCAP Model Anti-discrimination Legislation, which despite extensive engagement by PANCAP, has not yet been adopted by any Member State. Propelled by the new Global AIDS Strategy, it’s time that we change this”.

Dr Slater concluded the opening ceremony by applauding the participants for their dedication to the HIV response, “I challenge you to ensure your voice is heard as we face the challenges of COVID-19 and propel the Region’s HIV response to new heights of success”.

– ENDS –

Contact:

Timothy Austin

Senior Project Officer, Communications

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

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/

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

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.

GAINS MADE IN THE REGION’S HIV RESPONSE

Through collaborative efforts of CARICOM-PANCAP and Member States, the Caribbean has seen significant achievements at the end of 2019, including a decline in overall regional prevalence from 2.2 % to less than 1.1% in 2019; a decrease in new HIV infections by 29% in the Region since 2010, a reduction in AIDS-related deaths by 37% since 2010 and total antiretroviral treatment coverage for the Region was 63%–71% for women and 56% for men (compared to 5% in 2001).
In 2019, 77% of People Living with HIV in the Caribbean knew their status; 81% of those diagnosed were on treatment, and 80% of those on antiretroviral therapy were virally suppressed.
The Region achieved tremendous progress with the Elimination of Mother-to-child Transmission of HIV in eight countries, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Montserrat and Saint Kitts and Nevis. Cuba became the first country in the world to achieve elimination in 2015.