Prime Minister Mia Mottley commends NHAC Barbados on innovation in HIV Education
Image: Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley meeting employees of the National HIV/AIDS Commission (NHAC) Barbados
Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley commended employees of the National HIV/AIDS Commission (NHAC) Barbados on their innovative educational tools during the Barbados Labour Day observance (1 May), which acknowledges the contributions of workers on the island.
The Prime Minister was impressed with the popular interactive game, “UPS AND DOWNS”, which was created by the NHAC as an HIV educational tool for Barbadians of all ages.
The Prime Minister visited the NHAC booth and interacted with several members of staff who were conducting HIV awareness and education with colleagues of the Barbados Workers’ Union and the International Labour Movement.
The NHAC also utilised the opportunity to extend its reach with condom distribution and demonstrations. Use of the female condom was emphasized to foster more awareness.
The Prime Minister recommended registering a patent for the digital educational tool and challenged NHAC employees to develop more interactive games and software for HIV education.
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/