Join CPHA

CAREC HIV/AIDS Project

UNAIDS, in its 2002 Report, gives a total of 420,000 people living with HIV/AIDS cases in the Caribbean region. Only a fraction of these people are receiving antiretroviral therapy. While the Bahamas and Bermuda have shown sharp declines in AIDS deaths and cases, other countries are still facing an expanding epidemic. There is considerable inter-country variation. In several countries of the Caribbean Basin, adult HIV prevalence rates are surpassed only by the rates experienced in sub-Saharan Africa. This makes it the second-most affected region in the world. In addition, the epidemic is shifting to younger populations, in particular, young females. HIV/AIDS is now the leading cause of death in some of the Region. The economy of the Region is beginning to feel the impact in terms of loss of human potential and productivity.

The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), through the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has spearheaded the response to the epidemic in the region and to minimize the impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities in CARICOM members. Several international donors have pooled their resources in support of this program. The Canadian International Development Agency has pledged 5 years of support to CAREC including technical assistance provided from the Canadian public health and AIDS service communities in Canada.

The project will target member country Ministries of Health as well as NGOs and community-based organizations (CBOs) that address the needs of women, youth and people living with HIV and AIDS (PHA). In response to Caribbean-specific needs, CAREC has identified five primary project elements: strengthening of national AIDS surveillance and health information systems and programs;

  • strengthening targeted healthy sexual behavior interventions and promoting positive attitudes towards PHAs;
  • strengthen capacity of national decision makers and build alliances and mobilize communities;
  • strengthen national capacity to deliver HIV/AIDS services in clinical and diagnostic management, including care and psychosocial support, including expansion of youth friendly services;
  • build national capacity for behavioural and communication interventions targeting priority vulnerable populations (youth, PLWHA, MSM, and women, including female sex workers);
  • strengthening the institutional capacity within CAREC to manage, monitor and evaluate a regional HIV/AIDS program.

The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) is the technical partner to PAHO/CAREC for the project. CPHA identifies appropriate Canadian technical expertise and provides advice and guidance particularly in the area of health promotion, HIV/AIDS counselling, care and support, disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostic and management quality assurance and quality control, strategic planning, project management and monitoring, institutional capacity building and sustainability, and the role of the media in HIV/AIDS.

CPHA will be turning to its membership base and the Canadian public health and health system community for support in this project. Members who are interested in collaboration should send their CV and stated interest and experience to CPHA, Global Health Programs.