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The Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
countries requested continued international financial assistance to fight
HIV/AIDS. St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas, who is responsible
for health issues among CARICOM members, made the request in his speech in
Barcelona, Spain, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the XIV AIDS
Conference. Douglas said that, 10 years after signing an agreement with six
pharmaceutical companies in Barcelona, CARICOM countries now can aim for an
AIDS-free generation.
Douglas informed delegates,
including Dr. Luiz Loures, deputy executive director of the Joint United
Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), that although the Caribbean is
satisfied with its achievement so far, it only would be able to continue the
work if it received the necessary funding. Since resources were scarce at the
present time, he proposed a process of shared responsibility engaging the
private sector, focusing on accountability, and keeping commitments to
accelerate the response for investments in treatment and prevention. Douglas
also mentioned the need to increase demands for elimination of stigma and
discrimination.
He noted that AIDS-related deaths
have decreased by approximately 50 percent and more people with HIV infection
have access to antiretroviral drugs. He acknowledged the need to increase
access to treatment for the most at-risk populations and to make special
provision for the poor and vulnerable. To this end, he said Caribbean
governments, in collaboration with UNAIDS, are pursuing an investment strategy
for HIV financing. The strategy is important for identifying priorities,
measureable targets, and results. Douglas explained that the Pan Caribbean
Partnership against HIV/AIDS Declaration, issued in November 2010, incorporated
the targets, and that the targets in the declaration are consistent with those
in the outlined Political Declaration of the UN High Level Meeting in June
2011. He touched on some of the goals of the Caribbean communities such as to
be the first in the developing world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission
by 2015, but noted that regression also is a possibility. Douglas maintained
that the Caribbean people are resolved to continue with universal coverage and
for this purpose they seek the support of colleagues and friends in Barcelona.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
