PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Pan-Caribbean Partnership towards HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) has ended a gathering right here with delegates stressing the pressing want for Caribbean well being leaders to position larger emphasis on the rising risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) past HIV, significantly syphilis, which has seen regarding resurgences within the area.
PANCAP’s ninth assembly of Nationwide AIDS Programme Managers and Key Companions from throughout the Caribbean additionally centered on integrating HIV companies into the broader regional public well being system to reinforce service supply by fostering effectivity, accessibility, and holistic care.
The high-level assembly, which introduced collectively policymakers, well being consultants, civil society leaders, and worldwide improvement companions to speed up progress towards ending the HIV epidemic, mentioned shared methods and actionable commitments and strengthened regional collaboration.
“Individuals engaged in dynamic discussions on scaling testing and remedy entry, lowering stigma and discrimination, and integrating revolutionary data-driven approaches into public well being methods.
“Key outcomes included renewed pledges to mobilize home funding, improve the resilience of the well being methods, and prioritize community-led initiatives to succeed in susceptible populations,” in keeping with an announcement issued right here following the assembly.
The assembly agreed that by embedding HIV testing, remedy, and prevention inside routine well being companies, well being methods can cut back useful resource duplication, decrease prices, and streamline affected person experiences.
“This strategy diminishes stigma, as people entry HIV care alongside different well being wants, encouraging earlier prognosis and remedy adherence.”
The assertion mentioned that focus was additionally positioned on integrating adolescent-centered care into the nationwide sexual and reproductive well being (SRH) applications, which is essential to addressing the twin challenges of adolescent well being disparities and the HIV epidemic within the Caribbean.
“It was famous that adolescents within the area face heightened vulnerabilities on account of restricted entry to youth-friendly SRH companies, pervasive stigma, and socio-cultural boundaries that deter help-seeking behaviors.
“With the Caribbean sustaining one of many world’s highest HIV prevalence charges exterior sub-Saharan Africa, tailor-made interventions—comparable to complete sexuality training, confidential HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and antiretroviral remedy entry—are important to curb HIV transmission and enhance outcomes amongst adolescents.”
The assembly famous that whereas strides in HIV prevention are commendable, insufficient consideration to syphilis and different STIs dangers reversing progress, as untreated infections can result in extreme issues, neonatal mortality, and heightened HIV transmission dangers.
The delegates agreed that leaders might safeguard susceptible populations, cut back long-term healthcare burdens, and align with world well being fairness targets by crafting inclusive insurance policies or refining present methods to prioritize these infections.
PANCAP is conducting complete consultations to develop the brand new Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF), a pivotal initiative to information the HIV response via 2030.
The consultations carry collectively governments, civil society organizations, healthcare suppliers, technical companions, such because the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Pan American Well being Group (PAHO), and donor companies like The World Fund, to make sure a collaborative and inclusive strategy.
The framework goals to combine revolutionary options, comparable to PrEP and community-led interventions, whereas aligning with world targets, together with Sustainable Growth Purpose 3, to eradicate AIDS as a public well being risk.
“PANCAP reaffirmed its dedication to sustaining momentum via common progress critiques and enhanced technical help to member international locations. The assembly closed with a collective resolve to prioritize fairness, human rights, and multi-sectoral cooperation as pillars of the Caribbean’s HIV response,” the assertion added.
Talking on the convention, Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) Deputy Secretary Common Dr. Amstrong Alexis mentioned that whereas the street to attaining targets might not at all times be easy, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat stays steadfast in its help of every member state and the varied communities.
“We all know that challenges persist: gaps in financing, coverage implementation, and repair supply can typically threaten to sluggish our progress. Nonetheless, our area has at all times been outlined by resilience.
“Time and time once more, now we have discovered methods to beat obstacles, whether or not via innovation, partnership, or sheer dedication. The identical should apply right here. We can not afford to let setbacks outline us; as a substitute, we should use them as gas to drive ourselves ahead.”
Alexis mentioned that whether or not via advocacy for elevated sources, technical help, or fostering collaboration amongst member states and companions, “we’ll proceed to work with all our companions for the good thing about these now we have been known as upon to serve.
“Your success is our success as a result of when our well being methods are sturdy, our individuals thrive, and our area prospers,” he mentioned, urging the delegates to undertake a citizen-centered posture and ship for the peculiar man, girl, and baby of the Caribbean Neighborhood.
