This year we are again commemorating another World AIDS Day under the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst our attention is focused on ending the pandemic, health care workers across the region has the enormous task of ensuring that the fight against AIDS continues and we do not loose sight of the end AIDS agenda.

HIV is still a major public health threat for the Caribbean affecting young people in their productive years. Moreover, Key Populations and vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected. Despite significant progress in the region in reducing new infections and AIDS related deaths and with many of our countries having eliminateded mother to child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis, significant gaps still exist for us to meet important global targets.

At the end of 2020, 82% of people living with HIV knew their status, 67% of them were on treatment and 50% were virally suppressed. This indicates that there is still a lot of work to be done with respect to testing so that people are aware of their HIV status and can take the necessary actions to prevent the spread of HIV and receive treatment. With respect to people on treatment, we have to ensure that people have access to care and that they are maintained in care and become virally suppressed and undetectable. Clinical evidence has firmly established the HIV Undetectable=Untransmittable, or U=U, concept as scientifically sound. People with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load by taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) daily as prescribed cannot sexually transmit the virus to others. Thus, treatment for HIV is a powerful tool in preventing further HIV infections.

This year the theme for World AIDS Day is “End inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemics”.  This theme focuses on reaching people left behind. In the Caribbean Region, there is a wide inequality gap and with the COVID-19 pandemic, this gap is expected to further widen with the potential of leaving more people behind.  Stigma and discrimination are still major issues preventing people from accessing care. This is further compounded by existing punitive laws criminalizing certain sexual practices. This not only weaken human rights protections but also limit the efforts of public health personnel to reach these populations.

The Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) has been working with National Programmes, Civil Society Organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen the regional HIV response. Recently, we have launched the “In your Hands” campaign to support HIV self-testing in the Region. This is expected to provide testing services to Key Populations especially as we see a fall of in testing due to the disruptions from COVID-19. We are also partnering with countries to scale up and implement PrEP services to people at risk groups for HIV to prevent them from getting HIV. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV.

As we reflect on where we have come so far, let us not loose hope. Let us continue to work together to ensure that those who need care have access to the highest standard of care and that their rights are protected. Together we can end AIDS in the Caribbean!