Youth Infections And Drug Access Gaps Threaten Caribbean HIV Progress
Regional progress against HIV/AIDS faces serious setbacks, according to the Health Ministers of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.
While the Caribbean region has made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, there are still several obstacles before a regional victory can be declared.
Minister of Health, Dr. Lackram Bodoe, highlighted one key area as he addressed the Opening Ceremony of the National AIDS Programme Managers and Key Partners on Wednesday.
« Challenges remain. Our young people aged 15 to 24 account for one quarter of new infections, underscoring the need for youth-friendly prevention services. Key populations continue to shoulder a disproportionate burden of HIV. »
The Health Minister highlighted several challenges facing the region.
« Also, there is the issue of paediatric treatment coverage, which tends to lag significantly behind, with only 36% of children living with HIV on treatment and less than one-third achieving viral suppression. »
Chair of the Pan-Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS Executive Board and Health Minister of Guyana, Dr. Frank Anthony, said access to medication is another problem area.
« We have seen that by 2027 the cost of Lenacapavir should come down to about US$40 per year, and that is remarkable progress. The challenge, however, is that while that is happening, we in the Caribbean still do not have access to this drug. »
Dr. Anthony noted that some international drug agencies prevent countries from gaining access to AIDS medication.
« If they think that you have resources, then they believe that you should pay the full cost. And that would put some of our countries at a disadvantage because then we would not be able to access these medications. There is also another important thing that we have to look at, and that is that sometimes ARVs that are available, the companies would actually tie up countries through different types of agreements. »
Dr. Anthony noted that the Global Fund has removed most of its financing from the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa.
