PANCAP Meeting Highlights Urgent Need to Address Sexually Transmitted Infections

Introduction to PANCAP Meeting

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) has ended a meeting here with delegates stressing the urgent need for Caribbean health leaders to place greater emphasis on the growing threat of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) beyond HIV, particularly syphilis, which has seen concerning resurgences in the region.

PANCAP’s ninth meeting of National AIDS Programme Managers and Key Partners from across the Caribbean also focused on integrating HIV services into the broader regional public health system to enhance service delivery by fostering efficiency, accessibility, and holistic care.

Key Outcomes of the Meeting

The high-level meeting, which brought together policymakers, health experts, civil society leaders, and international development partners to accelerate progress toward ending the HIV epidemic, discussed shared strategies and actionable commitments and strengthened regional collaboration.

“Participants engaged in dynamic discussions on scaling testing and treatment access, reducing stigma and discrimination, and integrating innovative data-driven approaches into public health strategies.

“Key outcomes included renewed pledges to mobilize domestic funding, enhance the resilience of the health systems, and prioritize community-led initiatives to reach vulnerable populations,” according to a statement issued here following the meeting.

Integrating HIV Services into Public Health Systems

The meeting agreed that by embedding HIV testing, treatment, and prevention within routine health services, health systems can reduce resource duplication, lower costs, and streamline patient experiences.

“This approach diminishes stigma, as individuals access HIV care alongside other health needs, encouraging earlier diagnosis and treatment adherence.”
The statement said that focus was also placed on integrating adolescent-centered care into the national sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programs, which is critical to addressing the dual challenges of adolescent health disparities and the HIV epidemic in the Caribbean.

Addressing Adolescent Health Disparities

“It was noted that adolescents in the region face heightened vulnerabilities due to limited access to youth-friendly SRH services, pervasive stigma, and socio-cultural barriers that deter help-seeking behaviors.

“With the Caribbean maintaining one of the world’s highest HIV prevalence rates outside sub-Saharan Africa, tailored interventions—such as comprehensive sexuality education, confidential HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and antiretroviral therapy access—are essential to curb HIV transmission and improve outcomes among adolescents.”

The Risk of Syphilis and Other STIs

The meeting noted that while strides in HIV prevention are commendable, inadequate attention to syphilis and other STIs risks reversing progress, as untreated infections can lead to severe complications, neonatal mortality, and heightened HIV transmission risks.

The delegates agreed that leaders could safeguard vulnerable populations, reduce long-term healthcare burdens, and align with global health equity goals by crafting inclusive policies or refining current strategies to prioritize these infections.

Developing the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework

PANCAP is conducting comprehensive consultations to develop the new Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF), a pivotal initiative to guide the HIV response through 2030.

The consultations bring together governments, civil society organizations, healthcare providers, technical partners, such as the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and donor agencies like The Global Fund, to ensure a collaborative and inclusive approach.

Statement from CARICOM Deputy Secretary General

Speaking at the conference, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Deputy Secretary General Dr. Amstrong Alexis said that while the road to achieving targets may not always be smooth, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat remains steadfast in its support of each member state and the various communities.

“We know that challenges persist: gaps in financing, policy implementation, and service delivery can sometimes threaten to slow our progress. However, our region has always been defined by resilience.

“Time and time again, we have found ways to overcome obstacles, whether through innovation, partnership, or sheer determination. The same must apply here. We cannot afford to let setbacks define us; instead, we must use them as fuel to drive ourselves forward.”

Conclusion

The PANCAP meeting highlighted the urgent need for Caribbean health leaders to address the growing threat of sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis, and to integrate HIV services into the broader regional public health system. The meeting also emphasized the importance of addressing adolescent health disparities and developing the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework to guide the HIV response through 2030.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is PANCAP?

A: PANCAP is the Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS, a regional organization that works to accelerate progress toward ending the HIV epidemic in the Caribbean.

Q: What is the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF)?

A: The CRSF is a pivotal initiative to guide the HIV response through 2030, developed through comprehensive consultations with governments, civil society organizations, healthcare providers, and technical partners.

Q: Why is it important to address adolescent health disparities?

A: Adolescent health disparities are critical to addressing the dual challenges of adolescent health and the HIV epidemic in the Caribbean, and tailored interventions such as comprehensive sexuality education and confidential HIV testing are essential to curb HIV transmission and improve outcomes among adolescents.