November 5, 2024
Bridging the gap between new HIV science and providing quality service delivery to communities is the focus of the regional workshop titled “Uniting Science and Communities to Accelerate HIV Response in the Caribbean”, which will be hosted in Trinidad and Tobago, 4-5 November.
The International AIDS Society (IAS) and the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) are leading the initiative in collaboration with The Global Fund, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Plataforma LAC.
The workshop aims to provide a platform for HIV-related health and social service providers, key community actors, youth, researchers, government representatives and policymakers to brainstorm bridging the gap between evidence-based science, policy and action.
“The goal is to create a roadmap for aligning new HIV science and evidence with how we deliver HIV-related services in our communities,” says Dr Wendy Telgt-Emanuelson, Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit based at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat. “Groundbreaking HIV data and evidence emerged from AIDS 2024 – the 25th International AIDS Conference. This has implications for policymakers and HIV service providers in the Caribbean. Our Region cannot be left behind. Our stakeholders must be empowered to use the evidence to create innovative solutions to the HIV service delivery gaps and challenges we experience in the Region. The workshop seeks to provide this level of knowledge-sharing and empowerment,” added the PANCAP Director.
The workshop’s agenda includes an in-depth discussion of the key messages from the 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024) and their application to the Caribbean, translating the science and knowledge of advanced HIV disease into action so that people living with HIV can access a comprehensive package of services. The workshop will also address HIV-related stigma and discrimination, focusing on the normalising of HIV-related services and integrating services to address intersecting healthcare needs.
This meeting of critical HIV stakeholders supports developing and implementing policies and strategies to improve the delivery of health services that reflect the latest HIV scientific evidence tailored to communities and the unique circumstances and needs of the People of the Caribbean Community.
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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.