(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The implementation of the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) on HIV and AIDS (2008 -2012) along with the development of the Priority Area Co-ordinating Committee (PACC) and the proposed constitution for the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) were some of the major discussions which took place at the just concluded 13th Meeting of the Regional Co-ordinating Mechanism of PANCAP. The meeting took place from September 17 – 18, 2009 at the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana.
The RCM was given an update on the PCU re-organisation process and the role of the PACC in overseeing the implementation of the CRSF. It was agreed at the meeting that the PACC should be a small group of persons who have technical expertise on HIV and AIDS so that they could offer guidance on how the CRSF should be implemented.
The RCM applauded the progress being made in the re-organisation of the PCU and offered further guidance on its continuing development. Resource mobilization initiatives remained high on the agenda and discussions about new funding opportunities were addressed.
PANCAP was praised for its efforts in completing its application for round nine of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) in the amount of US$34.5M. Participants also heard of other funding opportunities and initiatives under the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Policy analysis issues including the progress being made towards the development of the proposed constitution for PANCAP were also addressed and the RCM was asked to consider several legal models.
The draft biennial operations plan was also presented and participants got the opportunity to analyse and offer suggestions for improvement.
Arrangements for the 9th Annual General Meeting of PANCAP which will be held from 29 to 30 October 2009 in St George’s, Grenada under the theme “Towards Universal Access: Enhancing the Multi-sectoral Response to HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean” were also finalised at the meeting.
The meeting was opened by Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Honourable Minister of Health, Guyana who noted that while the Caribbean Region has been innovative and aggressive in implementing HIV prevention strategies, it still has not yet reached all citizens.
He commended PANCAP for the indispensable role in the gains made in the fight against HIV and AIDS. However, he noted that PANCAP must now take the leading role in catalyzing a movement of political, business, religious, sports and entertainment leaders to publicly participate in getting people to know their status.
However, he added that while the challenges were still daunting and the barriers study, the Caribbean has demonstrated the wisdom, knowledge and capacity to successfully wage a battle against HIV. He urged PANCAP to continue to strengthen its role in this
Mr. John Fabien, Minister of Health and the Environment, Dominica and RCM Chairman commended PANCAP for the significant progress it has made in advancing the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) on HIV and AIDS.
Mr. Fabien also used the opportunity to applaud the continuing commitment and support to PANCAP demonstrated by development partners. “We at PANCAP are delighted at the prospects that this funding support holds for the strengthening of the regional response to HIV and AIDS.”
The RCM is the Executive Board of PANCAP and its responsibilities include providing policy guidance on the effective management and operation of the partnership and approving and directing all PANCAP projects. PANCAP, established in 2001, is the regional mechanism responsible for coordinating the Caribbean’s response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
