Media Releases – Page 53

K4Health Programme to Enhance Knowledge Creation, Sharing, & Learning Within PANCAP

The Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV&AIDS, PANCAP, has formed a partnership with the Knowledge for Health (K4Health) Program to significantly enhance the capacity of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU) and to aid all PANCAP members in knowledge generation and sharing with regard to the new World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for ‘Test and Start’.

The K4Health Project, based in Baltimore, United States, is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Global Health, Office of Population and Reproductive Health and implemented by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP).

According to Director of PANCAP, Dereck Springer, the new partnership will transform the way in which knowledge management and sharing is done among the PANCAP member countries with particular regard to the new WHO guidelines for HIV/AIDS treatment eligibility.

‘HIV positive persons are living longer and healthier lives when treatment is administered from the point of diagnosis,’ stated the PANCAP Director, ‘but we must consider the significant changes that must occur within health care systems and HIV/AIDS health support entities if HIV positive people require treatment right after diagnosis rather than when their viral load becomes high. This requires a large public education initiative and training for health care workers. The K4Health Project will assist with packaging and sharing vital information necessary for PANCAP members to begin the process of educating health care workers and the public about commencing treatment immediately after a HIV positive diagnosis’.

According to Knowledge Management Advisor, K4Health Project, Sarah Fohl, ‘our goal is to present information that is vital to HIV testing and early treatment in concise, well-packaged communication products that can be easily accessed and utilized by policy makers, health care professionals, civil society organizations, and all entities involved in the eradication of the virus’.

The Knowledge Management Advisor explained that the new partnership between the two entities will help to enhance the availability and access to vital information regarding the new treatment eligibility. ‘For example, K4Health will be instrumental in revamping and relaunching the PANCAP website with fact sheets, policy documents, brochures, and other communication products which will concisely illustrate the importance of commencing early HIV treatment after a positive diagnosis as well as other issues related to advocacy around stigma and discrimination’.

The K4Health Project will conduct a number of other initiatives including knowledge sharing events and workshops for PANCAP members which are designed to increase learning opportunities and exchange of best practices throughout the Caribbean region related to the implementation of the new early treatment guidelines.

‘Our overarching aim is to support the PANCAP Coordinating Unit’s mandate to demonstrate PANCAP’s value in contributing to a regional HIV response,’ stated Ms. Fohl, ‘ we believe that through enhanced knowledge generation, sharing, and learning among PANCAP members, we can effectively support the scale up of “Test and Start” in the Caribbean Region’.

Contact
Timothy Austin
Communications Specialist
PANCAP Coordinating Unit | Knowledge for Health (K4Health)
CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen
Tel: (592) 222-0001-75, Extension 3409
Email: taustin.consultant@caricom.org
Fax: (592) 222-0203

Minister of Public Health Guyana says Country is Benefitting from Global Grants for AIDS, TB, and Malaria

Minister of Public Health, Guyana, Hon. Dr. George Norton, speaking at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Global Fund Side Event at the PAHO 55th Directing Council stated that Guyana continues to benefit significantly from Global Fund grants especially with regard to the response to HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

After congratulating the Global Fund on its successful 5th Replenishment, Minister Norton stated that the Caribbean, including Guyana, has utilized significant resources provided by the Global Fund to place increased numbers of persons on treatment for HIV and TB and to prevent new HIV, TB and Malaria infections.

‘We are heartened that the Global Fund Secretariat is supporting countries to plan for sustainability and successful transition’, stated Minister Norton, ‘we are looking forward to the transition model which will evolve in Jamaica following the exercise it is currently undertaking with support from the Global Fund and PEPFAR’.

The Global Fund has helped beneficiary countries to improve health systems and strengthened governance and transparency through the Country Coordination Mechanism (CCMs).

The Minister of Public Health further stated that he anticipated additional strengthening and full country ownership of CCMs to enable them to be sustained post Global Fund and continue to play a meaningful role in the national health response.

Minister Norton concluded by congratulating the Latin America and Caribbean delegation to the Global Fund Board for their increased engagement in the Global Fund Board, Committees and representation. ‘We look forward to their continued advocacy on behalf of the Latin America and Caribbean Region’ stated Minister Norton.

Caribbean Sex Worker Coalition (CSWC) to Conduct Workshop on SWIT (Sex Worker Implentation Tool) in Georgetown, Guyana

The Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV & AIDS, PANCAP, will be a key stakeholder at the Caribbean Sex Work Coalition SWIT (Sex Worker Implementation Tool) Meeting to be held from October 16 to 20, 2016 in Georgetown, Guyana.

According to Miriam Edwards, Co-chair and Coordinator of the Caribbean Sex Work Coalition (CSWC), ‘it is vital that sex workers and sex worker-led groups fully understand the importance of SWIT to creating a safe environment for sex work that is free of stigma and discrimination’.

The Sex Worker Implementation Tool (SWIT) offers practical guidance on effective HIV and STI programming for sex workers. It provides evidence for the necessity of decriminalization of sex work, the involvement of sex workers in developing policy, and the empowerment and self-determination of sex working communities as a fundamental part of the fight against HIV.

SWIT was created by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is based on WHO’s 2012 recommendations on HIV and Sex Work.

The Co-Chair of the CSWC explained that the idea for the SWIT workshop was generated after Leaders of the CSWC participated in the Global Fund SWIT workshop in October, 2015 in Ecuador as well as additional SWIT training activities earlier in 2015 organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

‘Following discussions at the CSWC’s last Regional Meeting, an agreement was formed by a consortium network of sex workers from NSWP (Global Network of Sex Work Projects) that increased awareness of SWIT is crucial to the development of sex workers in the Caribbean’, stated the Co-Chair, ‘CSWC has received the support of NSWP through the Robert Carr Civil Society Networks Fund (RCNF) to convene this 5-day SWIT training in Guyana’.

Director of PANCAP, Dereck Springer, echoes these sentiments and advocates for more attention on the issue of stigma and discrimination within the sex work environment.

‘It is imperative that PANCAP attends and supports this workshop since eliminating discrimination against sex workers is a key component of PANCAP’s Justice for All (JFA) initiative,’ stated the PANCAP Director, ‘the JFA advocates for the reduction of stigma and discrimination and the upholding of human rights with particular regard to the right to access HIV prevention, treatment and care’.

‘Ending AIDS requires an environment that is free of stigma and discrimination,’ stated the PANCAP Director, ‘key populations such as sex workers are more likely to receive education on HIV/AIDS, as well as prevention tools when there is no fear or being stigmatized. I fully endorse the objective of the SWIT workshop. Sex workers must be cognizant of their role in creating a stigma free environment as well as what actions are pivotal to eliminating the spread of HIV/AIDS in the sex work industry’.

The SWIT Workshop, which will host participants from Guyana, Jamaica, Antigua, Suriname, Trinidad and the Bahamas, aims to provide effective training on the use and implementation of the SWIT with the objective of building the knowledge capacity of sex workers in reducing stigma and discrimination.

Fifth Meeting of NAP Managers and Key Partners Conclude with Call for More Civil Society Involvement at All Levels

The Pan-Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) concluded the Fifth Meeting of National AIDS Programme (NAP) Managers and Key Partners, March 6 – 8, with an urgent call to include more civil society organizations (CSOs) in programme implementation and for an increased emphasis on behavioural change strategies, particularly focused on men. The presentations, discussions and activities revolved around the theme ‘strengthening the HIV response’.

Ms. Gardenia Destang-Richardson, National AIDS Programme Manager, Ministry of Health St Kitts and Nevis and National AIDS Programme Managers Representative on PANCAP Governance Bodies, called for NAP managers, permanent secretaries and other policy makers to intensify efforts to include members of the civil society organizations at all levels on HIV and AIDS programme planning and implementation.

During her closing remarks, Ms. Destang-Richardson received consensus from participants on the following next steps towards strengthening the HIV and AIDS response in the Caribbean:

Recalibrating messages being used to educate the public on HIV and AIDS to focus on creating behavior change
Focusing on men and boys to influence more sexual responsibility within society
Leveraging the policy making influence of permanent secretaries and chief medical officers
Including civil society organizations at all levels of HIV and AIDS programme implementation

‘Civil society organizations have their finger on the pulse of the key populations’, stated Ms. Destang-Richardson, ‘in rural areas where exposure to media and HIV and AIDS education is limited, it is the CSOs that drive the message and prevent many new infections through public awareness activities and advocacy. Hence, we need their input at all levels when planning strategies related to the end of AIDS by 2020. They provide pivotal insight and inform unique approaches to bringing key messages to their populations. I challenge every NAP manager, permanent secretary and chief medical officer at this meeting to advocate for inclusion of CSOs at all levels, including policy development, moving forward’.

Participant Kinesha Thom, representative of the Caribbean Sex Work Coalition (CSWC), made an appeal for policymakers and donor partners to create new avenues for involvement of CSOs. ‘We deserve recognition as the pathway through which most of the HIV and AIDs awareness is received by key populations,’ stated Ms. Thom, ‘hence we are integral to formulating programmes related to HIV and AIDS, especially if we intend to increase efforts to create behaviour change’.

Echoing the challenge issued at the Opening Ceremony on Monday by Hon. Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Dereck Springer, Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit, challenged all participants to rethink public education on HIV and AIDS to focus more on behaviour change strategies that will significantly cause members of key populations to exercise more responsibility with their sexual behaviour. ‘We have to concentrate on our boys and men when we conceptualize prevention messages,’ stated the Director, ‘they have a tremendous influence on sexual behaviour in society and we must leverage this influence and channel it in a positive way’.

The meeting, funded by the Global Fund and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), hosted over 70 NAP managers, selected chief medical officers and permanent secretaries, as well as representatives of civil society organizations, and regional and development 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.

What are the 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)

Follow updates from the Meeting of NAP Managers and Key Partners using #StrengtheningHIVResponse

Religious Leaders Consultation on Ending the AIDS Epidemic in the Caribbean

1-2 February 2017
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Theme: ‘Religious Leaders’ Contribution to the End of AIDS by 2030’
Consultation Communiqué

The Regional Consultation of Religious Leaders, convened at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad in Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on 1 – 2 February 2017, brought together 55 Religious Leaders from 14 Caribbean countries, representing Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Baha’i and Voodoo religions, Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), United Nations and regional officials. It was coordinated by the Planning Committee of Religious Leaders and PANCAP and focused on the theme, Religious Leaders’ Contribution to the End of AIDS by 2030.

The Context

Religious leaders affirmed the reality of God by invoking the divine presence prior to the beginning of each session. Leaders were mindful that our religious heritage positioned us to engage in discussions about faith, justice, love and peace, mindful that we are one family under God. At the opening ceremony, the Chair of the Conference Pastor Winston Mansingh, President, Faith Based Network of Trinidad and Tobago, outlined that the overarching objective of the consultation was to focus on the contributions that religious leaders can make towards ending the epidemic by 2030. The aims were to:

use the targets of the 2016 UN High Level Meeting Political Declaration as guidelines for action
agree on the role religious organizations can play to promote healthy living and well-being for all ages in the region
identify best practices which religious leaders can contribute to ending the AIDS epidemic
identify gaps to be filled in prevention;
identify types of regional cooperation to be undertaken among religious groups/organisations; and
identify resources required to facilitate implementation of recommendations.

Giving welcome addresses and remarks, The Hon. Ayanna Webster-Roy, Minister of State within the Office of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago pointed to her country’s commitment at the highest level to the aims of the conference with the recent reinstatement of the National AIDS Coordinating Committee including representatives from religious organisations under the umbrella of the Prime Minister’s Office. Dr Edward Greene, United Nations Secretary-General Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean brought greetings on behalf of the Secretary-General and highlighted the imperatives for fast-tracking the response to AIDS. The issues reflected in the remarks of Dr Kevin Harvey, Regional Director of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), included the focus of AHF on strengthening partnerships with special reference to supporting a coordinated approach to the implementation of the recommendations from the consultation. Mr. Dereck Springer, Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit brought greetings on behalf of the CARICOM Secretary-General, expressed appreciation for the collaboration with The Global Fund and the support of AHF and UNAIDS. He reinforced the principles agreed to by the Conference Planning Committee of Religious Leaders as follows:

Enhancing family life and focusing on those in need
Increasing access to treatment and affordable medicines
Reducing gender inequality including violence against women, girls and adolescents
Promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights including age appropriate sexual education
Implementing legislative reforms for modifying AIDS-related stigma and discrimination

The Keynote and Feature Addresses: Two complementary visions for ending AIDS

In his Keynote address, Prof. Clive Landis, Deputy Principal, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, identified the major scientific developments leading to the conclusion that anti-retroviral therapy (ART) delivers a life-saving benefit to persons living with HIV by abolishing end-stage AIDS. But the power of ART extends to a public prevention benefit as well. “Treatment as Prevention” is the scientific breakthrough of the decade showing that persons living with HIV who achieve viral suppression on ART are non-infectious. Hence, an important avenue to ending AIDS is removing societal barriers that stand between persons living with HIV and effective ART treatment. Everyone in society therefore has a rational self-interest in eliminating stigma and discrimination in order to create a supportive environment where people feel secure enough to know their status, to access ART medication and to achieve viral suppression. These attitudes will have the effect of lowering HIV viral load in the population and hence limit HIV transmission in society.

Rev. Phumzile Mabizela, Executive Director of International Network of Religious Leaders Living With of Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (INERELA), giving an inspiring feature address shared her experience as a faith leader who is living with HIV. She encouraged religious leaders to see themselves as a positive force for change and advocates for removing policy and legislative barriers in order to effectively deal with HIV. She challenged participants to lead by example, to reclaim the dignity of sex and sexuality, and to view HIV as a justice issue to which religious leaders should appropriately respond by addressing the structural injustices that make people vulnerable. In this regard she identified six ‘evils’ that need to be addressed – Stigma, Shame, Denial, Discrimination, Inaction and Mis-action (SSDDIM). She urged participants to stand in solidarity with those affected by HIV.

The consultation also welcomed Dr Luiz Loures, Deputy Executive Director, UNAIDS who gave the closing address. He encouraged religious leaders to remain committed to the very bold recommendations. He pointed to his association with PANCAP from its inception and pleasure that it continues to be the glue around which creative ventures like this could galvanise the regions stakeholders including governments, NGOs, religious groups, private sector, youth, civil society and parliamentarians. He pledged UNAIDS’ continued support to the Caribbean partnership and pointed to the 2015 Memorandum of Understanding between UNAIDS and PANCAP aimed at collaborating in the venture to fast-track the end of the AIDS epidemic.

Perspectives of Religious Organisations on the prospects for ending AIDS

Three country presentations from Belize, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago illustrated some best practices to inform the dialogue within the working groups. They were complemented by a special session led by Dr Nyambura Njoroge, Programme Executive, World Council of Churches (WCC), on that organisation’s ecumenical campaign “Thursdays in Black: Toward a World without gender-based violence and rape.” A background paper on PANCAP pointed to best practices and together they formed a useful basis for dialogue around treatment as prevention within three working groups.

Recommendations

Two extended periods of working groups and discussions by religious and lay leaders resulted in the following actions:

Supporting the “Fast-Tract Targets” in the 2016 UN High Level Political Declaration to fast-track the end of the AIDS epidemic by 2030;
Promoting healthy living of people at all ages of the life cycle by placing emphasis on plugging the Prevention gaps that include stressing family values, age appropriate sexual education, and creative ways of communication and dissemination of information to reach various audiences;
Facilitating best practices through the process for effective support and leadership in the area of treatment and care;
Paying particular attention to actions that address the reduction of violence against women, girls and adolescents and the inclusion of men and boys in this venture;
Seeking to secure sustainable technical and financial resources for programmes led by religious groups through shared responsibility and collaboration with government and non-governmental stakeholders and development partners;
Exploring the short and medium actionable recommendations of the PANCAP Justice For All (JFA) Roadmap, especially in so far as they enable religious groups and organisations to effectively address the gaps in prevention and treatment interventions and continuing the dialogue on how to proceed with those elements yet to be resolved;
Establishing the foundations of a Network of Religious Leaders interconnected with national focal groups to achieve a more consolidated approach to ending AIDS with a mechanism for effective communication and dissemination of information;
Seeking to engage representatives of key populations including men who have sex with men, sex workers and injecting drug users and others in programmes aimed at identifying respective rights and responsibilities involved in the process toward the elimination of AIDS-related stigma and discrimination;
Noting areas of litigation that may challenge religious values and the responses required to harmonise principles and practices around human rights, human sexuality and human dignity.
Reach out to other FBOs who were not included in the discussion to get their feedback on the matters raised.

Next Steps

Religious Leaders agreed to:

Establish a Regional consultative group working virtually toward the implementation of the recommendations;
Discuss the recommendations for action with their national religious councils and provide a progress report to the regional consultative group by 1 July 2017;
Share information on activities initially using the PANCAP website;
Consider the possibility of follow up regional workshops, ‘think tanks’ and consultations.

Expressions of Gratitude

Commendations were extended to the Chair and Planning Committee, the Keynote and Featured Speakers, the PANCAP Coordinating Unit and collaborating partners, The Global Fund, AHF and UNAIDS, the media and the management and staff of the Hyatt Regency Trinidad.

We remain grateful to God for the vision provided religious leaders and other stakeholders for coming together in this fashion to deliberate on matters of faith and practices. As religious leaders, we are committed to the fight against HIV and AIDS and we are convinced that with God all things are possible in the march towards the realisation of our full humanity in God and with each other.

US$12.9B Pledged By Donors For AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Says Minister Of Health and Social Security, Grenada

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Global Fund convened a Side Event at the PAHO 55th Directing Council to provide for an update on the developments of the Global Fund in the Latin American and Caribbean Region.

Speaking at the Side Event, Hon. Nickolas Steele, Minister of Health and Social Security, Grenada and Board Member, Latin America and Caribbean Constituency of the Global Fund Board stated that at the recently concluded 5th Replenishment Conference in Montreal, Canada, donors including the private sector and implementing countries pledged US12.9 Billion to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the next three (3) years.

‘We are heartened by this extraordinary global commitment toward ending the three (3) epidemics,’ stated Minister Steele.

The Minister further stated that the allocation based funding model adopted by the Global Fund since 2014 is predictable and agile but it is still relying on the GDP and burden of disease indicators. ‘These we believe are not coherent nor conducive to the New Strategy 2017-2022 vision of ending the epidemics’, stated Minister Steele, ‘It is critical to protect the gains and to support countries already moving into the elimination phase by applying the catalytic funding in the most appropriate and smarter way’.

He also indicated that it is crucial to support civil society and particularly people affected by these diseases by strengthening their capacity to participate and to contribute fully in policy development and implementation.

The Minister advocated that governments must commit to remove legal and other barriers to ensure full social inclusion and access to health for key and vulnerable populations.

Minister Steele urged that special attention is needed for the LAC countries in transition to ensure sustainable outcomes and that the Global Fund needs to provide appropriate support that is not only financial, but which requires a strong and capable regional team.

The Minister explained that to achieve the objective of the elimination of the three (3) diseases, there must be a re-examination of the policy of GDP per capita verses disease burden.

‘We need to give serious thought to the principle that as a country’s population progresses economically, it becomes more mobile and also risks greater exposure to HIV/AIDS in particular,’ stated Minister Steele, ‘let us acknowledge that we have a young population, for whom the perceived threat of HIV is not as frightening. If we do not address this we risk rolling back our gains’.

The Minister concluded his remarks by stating that the Region has a very high return on investment and is available to contribute best practices and experts through South-South cooperation that should be supported by the Global Fund.

PANCAP launches 3-year project to build local capacity in reducing HIV

The Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) launched its PEPFAR and USAID-funded three-year Local Capacity Initiative (LCI) project to work on reducing HIV transmission in the region, following a two-day meeting in Trinidad late last month.

According to a press release from PANCAP, the project seeks to build the capacity of one regional organisation and several local community service organisations (CSOs) that specifically focus their efforts on key populations.
Through the LCI, it said, the organisations will become more sustainable as they continue to strive towards the overall goal of reducing the transmission of HIV in the Caribbean.

The inception meeting was held from April 28 to 29 at the University of the West Indies (UWI), HEU Centre for Health Economics, Sir George Alleyne Building – Auditorium, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago.
According to the press release, PANCAP and the UWI HEU Centre for Health Economics will collaborate to implement the project. The project is aligned with the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework for HIV and AIDS (CRSF), 2014-2018.

It was stated that the meeting brought together regional organisations, which support the work of key populations through advocacy and policy. Dozens of representatives from the UWI HEU Health Economic Unit and a number of organizations within the region which focuses on HIV/AIDS attended the meeting.

The release said that during the two days, participants developed their capacity-building initiatives and plans to create synergy between the LCI project and the PANCAP Justice for All programme. They also agreed on target countries, the release said adding that the meeting identified gaps in CSOs’ capacities that hinder achievement of their mandates, it examined examined the content, mechanisms and processes for building the capacity of
CSOs in advocacy and policy work and it highlighted the key requirements for optimizing the outcomes of the LCI project.

Through this initiative, it was stated, PANCAP will receive funding to provide grants to local CSOs in countries funded by PEPFAR for activities such as policy and advocacy, programme implementation and/or building a financially diverse organization. In addition, PANCAP will facilitate identifying and providing technical assistance to those CSOs receiving grants, as well as other regional bodies needing such assistance, the
release said.

This project, according to the release, was informed by the epidemiology of HIV in the Caribbean, which has an HIV prevalence rate of one per cent among adults, and is the second-hardest hit region in the world after sub-Saharan Africa. Among key populations, men who have sex with men (MSM) and sex workers (SWs) are disproportionately
affected by HIV throughout the Caribbean region, it said.

Further it was noted that according to the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS (CRSF), 2014-2018, Caribbean MSM are five to 10 times more likely that the general population to be living with HIV. In the Dominican Republic, the release pointed out, the prevalence is 11 per cent among MSM in contrast to less than one
percent for the general population while in Jamaica, prevalence among MSM may be as much as ten times higher than for the general population, at an estimated 32 per cent in 2012.

According to the release, prevalence among MSM is similarly high in Trinidad and Tobago at 19 per cent and Haiti at 18 per cent. Because of high levels of stigma, however, survey data may not be representative of the entire MSM population, it noted. By targeting programmes at these key populations, the release said that the LCI Project
will contribute towards the regional goal of an overall reduction of HIV transmission ates.

PANCAP Launches the Local Capacity Initiative Project

Trinidad and Tobago— During and inception meeting 28-29 April, the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) launched its PEPFAR- and USAID-funded Local Capacity Initiative (LCI) Project at the University of the West Indies (UWI), HEU Centre for Health Economics, Sir George Alleyne Building – Auditorium, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago.

This three-year project seeks to build the capacity of one regional organisation and several local community service organisations (CSOs) that specifically focus their efforts on key populations.

Through the LCI, the organisations will become more sustainable as they continue to strive towards the overall goal of reducing the transmission of HIV in the Caribbean. PANCAP and the UWI HEU Centre for Health Economics will collaborate to implement the project. The project is aligned with the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework for HIV and AIDS (CRSF), 2014- 2018.

The meeting brought together regional organisations, which support the work of key populations through advocacy and policy. During the two days, participants developed their capacitybuilding initiatives and plans to create synergy between the LCI project and the PANCAP Justice for All programme, and they agreed on target countries. First, the meeting identified gaps in CSOs’ capacities that hinder achievement of their mandates. Next, it examined the
content, mechanisms and processes for building the capacity of CSOs in advocacy and policy work. Finally, it highlighted the key requirements for optimising the outcomes of the LCI project.

Through this initiative, PANCAP will receive funding to provide grants to local CSOs in countries funded by PEPFAR for activities such as policy and advocacy, programme implementation and/or building a financially diverse organisation. In addition, PANCAP will facilitate identifying and providing technical assistance to those CSOs receiving grants, as well as other regional bodies needing such assistance.

This project was informed by the epidemiology of HIV in the Caribbean, which has an HIV prevalence rate of one percent among adults, and is the second-hardest hit region in the world after sub-Saharan Africa. Among key populations, men who have sex with men (MSM) and sex workers (SWs) are disproportionately affected by HIV throughout the Caribbean region.

According to the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS (CRSF), 2014-2018, Caribbean MSM are five to 10 times more likely that the general population to be living with HIV. In the Dominican Republic, prevalence is 11 percent among MSM in contrast to less than one percent for the general population. In Jamaica, prevalence among MSM may be as much as ten times higher than for the general population, at an estimated 32 percent in 2012. Prevalence among MSM is similarly high in Trinidad and Tobago at 19 percent and Haiti at 18
percent. Because of high levels of stigma, however, survey data may not be representative of the entire MSM population.

By targeting programmes at these key populations, the LCI Project will contribute towards the regional goal of an overall reduction of HIV transmission rates.

In attendance at the meeting were: Ms Falicia Adams, Senior Programme Officer, Caribbean Network of People Living with HIV; Mr. Kip Beardsley , Senior Technical Advisor, Futures Group-Health Policy Project; Mr Ivanhoe Cruickshank, Project Director, Caribbean Vulnerable Communitites Coalition; Ms. Dona DaCosta Martinez, Executive Director, Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago; Dr Marcus Day, Director, Caribbean Drug and Alcohol Research Institute; Ms Miriam Edwards, Co-Chair, Caribbean Sex Workers Coalition; Dr Michel de Groulard, Regional Programme Coordinator, Centro de Orientacion e Investigacion Integral; Mr Lucien Desire Govaard, Representative, CariFlags; Ms. Marina Hilaire-Bartlett, Executive Director, Population Services International, Caribbean; Ms. Sandra Jones, Sub-regional Advisor, Pan American Health Organisation; Mr Collin Kirton, Senior Accountant, PANCAP Coordinating Unit; Ms Ann-Marie Libert-Defour, HIV/AIDS Coordinator, Ministry of Health,Trinidad and Tobago; Mr. Kenneth Morrison, Senior Technical Advisor, Futures Group-Health
Policy Project; Ms Yolanda Paul, Project Manager, UWI HIV and AIDS Response Programme; Mr. Vivian Rookhum, Consultant, PEPFAR; Mr. Kishore Shallow, CARICOM Youth Ambassador; Ms. Yolanda Simon, Key Populations Consultant; Mr Dereck Springer, Director, PANCAP Coordinating Unit; and Ms. Lisa Thompson, Programme Management Specialist, PEPFAR.

From the University of the West Indies HEU Health Economic Unit, Director Prof. Karl Theodore was joined by: Dr. Anton Cumberbatch, Public Health Specialist; Mrs Patricia Edwards-Wescott, Junior Research Fellow; Mrs Kimberly-Ann Gittens-Baynes, Junior Research Fellow; Dr. Althea La Foucade, Assistant Coordinator; Ms Christine Laptiste, Research Fellow; Mrs Valerie Matas, Research Techinician; Mr. Roger McLean, Research Fellow; Ms Charmaine Metivier, Junior Research Fellow; Ms Tanika Riley, Research Technician; and Ms Cheryl Theodore, Administrative Assistant.

An AIDS-free Caribbean is Only Possible if All Residents are Taken Care of Regardless of Immigration Status

Melbourne, Australia—Researchers have concluded that migrants are an underserved and vulnerable population in the Caribbean. Robert Cazal-Gamelsy, team leader for the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) project in conjunction Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and EPOS Health Management, presented at the AIDS conference in Australia this week.

There were a number of critical findings and recommendations based on the research by the team that Mr Cazal-Gamelsy discussed. Crucially, he said, it is necessary to counter institutional stigma and discrimination against migrants in health and HIV services. This should translate into domestic law and the signed international legislations and treaties that facilitate migrants’ access to these services. The project recommends the removal the obligation of presenting identification or national health insurance cards to use HIV services, and that countries adopt true ‘Universal access’ to HIV services.

Conclusions of the research are that vulnerable migrants are often ‘invisible,’ which contributes to their increased vulnerability to HIV and decreased access to services. An AIDS-free Caribbean is only possible if all residents are taken care of regardless of their immigration status. Therefore, he urged that it should be a priority to implement antistigma and discrimination legislations and policies and to introduce universal access policies across the region.
In the Caribbean, the project is supporting the adoption of the regional PANCAP Model Antidiscrimination Legislation; developing an amendment to the regional PANCAP Model Legislation to strengthen access of vulnerable migrants to HIV services; and conducting trainings using Caribbean training modules on human rights, cultural sensitivity and stigma and discrimination against migrants.

Specifically in Suriname, the project is working to include HIV in the law on venereal diseases to allow free and universal access to HIV services. In Trinidad & Tobago, the Caribbean Court of Justice has given a litigant leave to challenge immigration law that prohibits entry of homosexual people into the jurisdiction. And in Sint Maarten the project is working to modify IP (TRIPS) rules to get the authorisation to import generic antiretroviral drugs; and adopt the Universal Access principle regardless of resident status.

Mr. Cazal-Gamelsy urged that there is a need for a paradigm shift from exclusion to inclusion in order that, “nobody be left behind.”

PANCAP – Knowledge For Health

PANCAP

The Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) is a partnership of governmental and non-governmental bodies established in 2001 to facilitate a coordinated regional response to HIV/AIDS. It has a membership of 65 countries and organizations and is guided by a Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) on HIV and AIDS, which sets the parameters for collaboration between the PANCAP partners who work at all levels of the HIV/AIDS response.

PANCAP serves as a knowledge hub to support its members to improve the HIV response at the regional and national levels. In an environment of reduced international funding for HIV, global calls to transition to country ownership, and the global move towards the vision of and AIDS Free Generation it is critical for PANCAP to continue to provide strong coordination and collaboration to maintain the gains it has achieved across all partners and around common priorities and goals.

Knowledge for Health (K4HEALTH)

The Knowledge for Health (K4Health) PANCAP Project is an initiative to support the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) in its role as a regional coordinator and knowledge facilitator.

Funding for the K4Health PANCAP project is provided by The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through K4Health via a field buy-in by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Eastern and Southern Caribbean mission.