The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat convened a meeting of the Pan-Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS in Trinidad and Tobago on 28 October 2001, to assess the group’s accomplishments since its establishment in March this year. Membership of the group includes multi-bilateral donors, government representatives, non-governmental Organisations (NGO’s) and United Nations agencies.
The meeting was held under the auspices of His Excellency Erik Klipp, Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands, who promised to work closely with the Pan-Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS, and to increase his country= s level of support to the Region in the fight against the dreaded disease.
Dr. Edward Greene, Assistant Secretary-General of CARICOM, chaired the meeting and gave members the background to the establishment of the PCP, while Dr. James St. Catherine made a presentation on the progress made to date. According to Dr. St. Catherine, CARICOM is looking into the issue of drug access for people living with AIDS in the Region, and is considering negotiation for lower anti-retroviral prices for the treatment of people living with AIDS in the Region.
UNAIDS Executive Director, Dr. Peter Piot, commended CARICOM for the level of progress made since the launching of the Pan-Caribbean Partnership programme. He mentioned progress made in Trinidad and Tobago where the government there has created a budget line for HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
In the meantime, CARICOM and the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) have invited Population Services International (PSI) to conduct a study which would guide the establishment of an Eastern Caribbean Condom Social Marketing Project for member countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten. The organisers hope to launch the social marketing project by March 2002.
The World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have, for the first time, indicated their interest in supporting capacity building and anti-retroviral treatment for persons living with HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean.
CARICOM established and worked closely with a special multi-disciplinary Task Force which developed a Regional Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS. This plan is now completed and implementation of one component has commenced with European Union support under the management of Carl Brown. Several multi-bilateral donors and UN Agencies have made pledges to support other components of the Regional Strategic Plan.
According to Cynthia Eledu, who has been recruited to assist with the coordination of the Pan-Caribbean Partnership, the Regional Strategic Plan includes strategies aimed at strengthening regional institutions, preventing mother-to-child transmission, supporting people living with HIV/AIDS, and preventing/controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youth and vulnerable populations. Its implementation, monitoring and evaluation will be the responsibility of the CARICOM Pan-Caribbean Partnership Secretariat and its many Partners.
The Pan-Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS has scheduled its First Annual Meeting for 18-19 November 2001, in Saint Lucia. Government and NGO representatives, the private sector, multi-bilateral donors and the UN System are expected to attend the meeting.
The occasion will be graced by the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas, who is the Chairman of the Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS, and the Honourable Minister of Health of Saint Lucia, Sarah Lucy Flood-Baubrun. The proceedings will be chaired by Dr. Edward Greene, Assistant Secretary-General, CARICOM.
