In the heart of the vibrant Caribbean, a silent epidemic still claims the lives of approximately 5,100 individuals each year due to HIV-related causes. Shockingly, one-third of the HIV cases are only identified in the advanced stages, painting a grim picture of the regional healthcare landscape. The recent regional workshop titled “Uniting Science and Communities to Accelerate HIV Response in the Caribbean,” held in Trinidad and Tobago, shed light on these critical issues.
- Challenges and Urgent Needs: Dr. Wendy Telgt-Emanuelson, the Director of PANCAP, emphasized the unique challenges and urgent needs faced by the Caribbean in tackling the HIV crisis. Despite progress in HIV prevention and treatment services, the region has fallen short of the 90-90-90 targets.
- Lack of Progress: Sandra Jones, PAHO’s advisor for HIV/STI/TB and Viral Hepatitis, highlighted that the Caribbean is not on track to achieve the 95-95-95 targets by 2025, which may hinder the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Late diagnosis remains a significant issue, with one-third of HIV cases still being identified in advanced stages.
- Tools for Elimination: Dr. Omar Sued, the PAHO/WHO advisor on HIV care and treatment, emphasized the availability of tools to eliminate HIV, such as accessible HIV tests, effective antiretroviral treatments, and preventive strategies like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The focus should be on critical strategies to end HIV as a public health problem.
- Strategic Interventions: Dr. Sued emphasized the importance of critical strategies, including normalizing and increasing HIV testing, reducing stigma in the healthcare sector, and expanding care for advanced HIV. Strategic investments in targeted interventions can significantly reduce preventable deaths and create a healthier future for the Caribbean population.
PANCAP plays a crucial role in providing a unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic. Through the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS, the organization coordinates efforts to sustain the region’s HIV response and advance discussions on investing in healthcare infrastructure. The Trinidad workshop aimed to pave the way for a sustainable future where the economic impacts of HIV are minimized, allowing Caribbean individuals to lead healthier and more productive lives.
