The Commonwealth of Dominica achieves EMTCT certification
The Caribbean has achieved another significant milestone in the fight to end AIDS. The Commonwealth of Dominica was certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis (EMTCT) in 2020. The certification was granted following a thorough in-country validation assessment by the Regional Validation Committee, an independent body responsible for EMTCT certification.
Dominica joins six Caribbean countries that have been validated for EMTCT, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Saint Kitts and Nevis. In April 2015, Cuba became the first country in the World to achieve EMTCT validation and was recertified on 1 December 2017.
The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other regional stakeholders have extended congratulatory messages to Dominica on the achievement.
A virtual ceremony highlighting the country’s achievement is scheduled for 14 May 2021. Key stakeholders from PAHO/WHO, UNAIDS and CARICOM, are expected to deliver remarks at the virtual event.
For more information on the certification ceremony, visit the PANCAP event web page here. To register for the event, click here.
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/