Officials of the CARICOM Secretariat and representatives of the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Tubercolosis and Malaria (GFATM) last Friday signed a grant in the sum of $12.663 million to execute a project aimed at reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean Region.
The funds will complement the many HIV/AIDS initiatives in the Region and enhance the capacity of regional institutions and agencies, working along with communities to lessen the impact of the epidemic on already vulnerable populations.
CARICOM's Deputy Secretary General, Amb. Lolita Applewhaite signing on behalf of the CARICOM Secretariat, expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of the Region. She said “Today, we in the Community feel a sense of pride and elation, as the signing of this Grant Agreement brings hope to thousands of people infected with the virus; it brings hope to children born to HIV-positive mothers to be free of the infection; it brings assistance to enable public health policies that are aimed at reducing the stigma and discrimination attached to the virus; and it means greater access to information and services by our youth.”
The project funds are to be utilised specifically to establish, consolidate and co-ordinate regional support to Caribbean countries working in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention and reduction, care and support and human rights issues.
The CARICOM Secretariat is the principal recipient of the funds and will therefore act as the co-coordinating agency for all other recipients, which include the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), the University of the West Indies (UWI), the Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC), Population Services International (PSI), PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU) and Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).
Contact:
Alicia Sands,
PANCAP, CARICOM Secretariat
Tel : 592-225-35028; 226-9281-9; Email : alsands@caricom.org
