Thursday, 7 December 2023, (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, along with other senior members of the CARICOM Secretariat met with a team from USAID Jamaica on December 4 and 5, 2023 at CARICOM Headquarters.

The discussions during the meetings focused on fostering greater cooperation and collaboration between both parties. The dialogue examined PANCAP’s role in the Caribbean HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 response and explored its involvement in the region’s pandemic preparedness as a part of global health security.  The possible expansion of PANCAP’s mandate within CARICOM, particularly concerning the critical issues of infectious diseases was also discussed. Further discussions are expected to be held at a later date on the way forward to arriving at the best practical solutions that are mutually beneficial.

The USAID representatives included Ms Pamela Foster, Director, Office of Environmental and Health (OEH), Ms Wendy Benzerga, Health Team Lead, OEH, and Dr Andrea Brooks-Hanson, Project Management Specialist, OEH.

Represented the CARICOM Secretariat were Deputy Secretary General, Dr Armstrong Alexis, Assistant Secretary General, Ms Alison Drayton, Director, PANCAP Coordinating Unit, Dr Wendy Telgt Emanuelson, Senior Accountant PCU, Mr Collin Kirton, Programme Manager, Health Sector Development, Ms Tamara Bobb, and Communication Specialist, PCU, Mr Richard Francois.

ENDS

  WHAT IS PANCAP?

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

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

If targets and commitments in the strategy are achieved:

• The number of people who newly acquire HIV will decrease from 1.7 million in 2019 to less than 370 000 by 2025

• The number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses will decrease from 690 000 in 2019 to less than 250 000 in 2025.

• The goal of eliminating new HIV infections among children will see the number of new HIV infections drop from 150,000 in 2019 to less than 22,000 in 2025.

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

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

HELPFUL LINKS:

Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026, End Inequalities, End AIDS

https://pancap.org/pancap-documents/global-aids-strategy-2021-2026-end-inequalities-end-aids/

Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS (CRSF) 2019-2025

https://pancap.org/pancap-documents/caribbean-regional-strategic-framework-2019-2025/

Contact Us:

PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU)
CARICOM Secretariat
13-15 Area F Plantation, Turkeyen,
Greater Georgetown, Guyana

TEL: (592) 222-0001 – 06 ext. 3415